RICHARD NIXON TAPES: Woman on the Supreme Court (John Mitchell)

John Mitchell
October 11, 1971
011-033
White House Telephone

President Richard Nixon talks with his Attorney General John Mitchell about the placement of an Italian-American and a woman on the Supreme Court. Nixon came close to naming Judge Mildred Lillie as the first woman on the court (the honor later went to Sandra Day O'Connor). Nixon decided against appointing Judge Lillie after the National Bar Association declared that she was not qualified for the nation's highest court. Nixon appointed William Rehnquist instead. In this conversation, Nixon jokes with Mitchell, who was not enthusiastic about appointing a woman. Nixon's chief of staff, Bob Haldeman, laughs in the background.

(Photo: Richard Nixon fishing in Key Biscayne, Florida.)

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• President
• Richard
• Nixon
• John
• Mitchell
• Tapes
• recordings
• supreme
• court
• women
• feminism
• Italians
• Rehnquist
• Haldeman
• lawyer