Countywide : Group Will Honor Area’s Female Judges

The Orange County chapter of the California Elected Women’s Assn. for Education and Research will honor Orange County’s female judges at a reception tonight.

“Out of 106 judges in Orange County, 15 are women and we have chosen to honor them and highlight the importance of their presence on the bench,” said Marcia Milchiker, chapter president.

Among those honored will be Sheila Prell Sonenshine, an associate justice in the California Court of Appeals. Sonenshine is Orange County’s highest-ranking female justice and one of only seven female justices in California.

Sonenshine said it was important that the judiciary include both sexes, and a mix of racial and economic backgrounds.

“Judges are rule-keepers and decision-makers, and if there is a bias among them it stays entrenched until someone with a different perspective is added to the group. Each person brings a unique set of life experiences with them to the bench, and when you have judges with varied backgrounds it creates a more equitable society,” said Sonenshine in an interview.

Sonenshine said she looks forward to the day women judges are no longer considered unusual. “But our small numbers indicate that we still have a long way to go. There are still times when male attorneys automatically assume I’m a clerk or secretary when they see me in the courthouse hallway.”

The reception will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn, 3050 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. The cost is $20. For information and reservations, call (714) 831-7382 or (714) 633-3184.