Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Mary Coleman will be honored on Friday, October 20, 2000 when the State Bar of Michigan dedicates its 28th Michigan Legal Milestone, "Mary Coleman: Pioneer, Advocate, Woman." The milestone commemorates her life, career, and achievements.

Mary Coleman's life and career have made a lasting impact on Michigan's judicial system. Her success in the profession, her devotion to juvenile justice issues, and her work on the advancement of court reorganization are just a few examples of this remarkable woman's accomplishments.

In 1972, Mary became the first woman to serve as a member of the Michigan Supreme Court. In 1979, she was the first woman elected by her peers on Michigan's highest court to serve as its Chief Justice, a position to which she was re-elected for another two-year term.

Born Mary Stallings in Forney, Texas in 1914, Mary's parents, who met and married while attending the University of Texas, provided Mary with her first exposure to the legal profession. The family moved to Washington, D.C. when Mary was four years old where her father worked in a law office while her mother worked as a lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice. Mary graduated from the University of Maryland in 1934 and obtained her law degree in 1939 from George Washington University. She worked full time in a government office while attending law school to support herself and pay for her education. In 1939, she married Creighton Coleman and eventually moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where she practiced law and the couple raised their two daughters.

In 1960, after serving as a juvenile court referee, Mary was elected as a probate and juvenile judge in Calhoun County. She assisted in drafting much of the initial child abuse laws in this state as well as laws related to Protective Services. Mary's court was known as an innovative court, inventing various juvenile programs that focused on preventative measures and education in juvenile homes. She was the first chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan's Committee on Juvenile Affairs and served as president of the Probate and Juvenile Court Judges Association.

In 1979, Mary led the reorganization and state financing efforts of Wayne County and Detroit courts. "The interesting part to me was that everybody said reorganization couldn't be done," Mary said. "I asked all the presiding judges to meet me in my office with their court administrators in Lansing on a certain morning, and revealed to them what my concept was and what should be done." She proved that indeed, it could be done.

Mary Coleman will be commemorated in a ceremony sponsored by the State Bar in conjunction with the Calhoun County Bar Association with the unveiling of a permanent plaque at the courthouse in Battle Creek (time and featured speakers to be announced).

This is the 28th Michigan Legal Milestone designated by the State Bar of Michigan. The milestone program was initiated in 1986 to make the state's residents aware of important cases, personalities and incidents that have shaped their legal heritage.