With more than 30 years of experience in the judicial system, Justice Rita B. Garman will accept a new role as chief justice for the Illinois Supreme Court.
She's broken down barriers that no man or woman has ever been able to in Illinois.
She is the first person to serve on all levels in the state's court system.
"This really opens up the legal profession. I would hope in the eyes of these young students and allows them to dream big," Gwen Jordan said.
Attorney Gwen Jordan teaches at the University of Illinois Springfield. She says she can relate to Justice Garman.
She dealt with similar struggles while climbing her ladder to success.
"Unfortunately it still exists for women of color it's worse. So this does matter to have women in the top level positions, to change those maybe more settle biases," Jordan said.
Jordan was featured by WICS-TV 20 on September 12, 2013.
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