Raised in New York, she was a graduate of Long Island University and UC Berkeley School of Law. After passing the California bar exam in 1966, Rose joined the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office, where she remained until 1974. During this time, she held the positions of deputy public defender (the first female to do so), senior trial deputy, and chief of the appellate division.
Rose was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown to his cabinet as secretary of agriculture. After serving in this position for twenty-two months, Brown appointed her to succeed the retiring Donald Wright as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. Much controversy ensued while Rose was on the court.
During her tenure, the court strengthened environmental laws, consumer rights, civil rights, and the rights of women and minorities. Rose was outspoken in her opposition to the death penalty. She voted to overturn every death sentence that came before the court.
In 1986, Rose and two fellow justices became the first judges in state history ousted by the voters in a retention election. She was removed by a margin of sixty-seven to thirty-three percent.
In retirement, Rose took care of her ailing mother until her death in 1991. After her mother died, she volunteered at an East Palo Alto community law center.
Rose Bird died at Stanford University Medical Center after a long battle with breast cancer. May she rest in peace.
Rose was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown to his cabinet as secretary of agriculture. After serving in this position for twenty-two months, Brown appointed her to succeed the retiring Donald Wright as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. Much controversy ensued while Rose was on the court.
During her tenure, the court strengthened environmental laws, consumer rights, civil rights, and the rights of women and minorities. Rose was outspoken in her opposition to the death penalty. She voted to overturn every death sentence that came before the court.
In 1986, Rose and two fellow justices became the first judges in state history ousted by the voters in a retention election. She was removed by a margin of sixty-seven to thirty-three percent.
In retirement, Rose took care of her ailing mother until her death in 1991. After her mother died, she volunteered at an East Palo Alto community law center.
Rose Bird died at Stanford University Medical Center after a long battle with breast cancer. May she rest in peace.
Raised in New York, she was a graduate of Long Island University and UC Berkeley School of Law. After passing the California bar exam in 1966, Rose joined the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office, where she remained until 1974. During this time, she held the positions of deputy public defender (the first female to do so), senior trial deputy, and chief of the appellate division.
Rose was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown to his cabinet as secretary of agriculture. After serving in this position for twenty-two months, Brown appointed her to succeed the retiring Donald Wright as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. Much controversy ensued while Rose was on the court.
During her tenure, the court strengthened environmental laws, consumer rights, civil rights, and the rights of women and minorities. Rose was outspoken in her opposition to the death penalty. She voted to overturn every death sentence that came before the court.
In 1986, Rose and two fellow justices became the first judges in state history ousted by the voters in a retention election. She was removed by a margin of sixty-seven to thirty-three percent.
In retirement, Rose took care of her ailing mother until her death in 1991. After her mother died, she volunteered at an East Palo Alto community law center.
Rose Bird died at Stanford University Medical Center after a long battle with breast cancer. May she rest in peace.
Rose was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown to his cabinet as secretary of agriculture. After serving in this position for twenty-two months, Brown appointed her to succeed the retiring Donald Wright as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California. Much controversy ensued while Rose was on the court.
During her tenure, the court strengthened environmental laws, consumer rights, civil rights, and the rights of women and minorities. Rose was outspoken in her opposition to the death penalty. She voted to overturn every death sentence that came before the court.
In 1986, Rose and two fellow justices became the first judges in state history ousted by the voters in a retention election. She was removed by a margin of sixty-seven to thirty-three percent.
In retirement, Rose took care of her ailing mother until her death in 1991. After her mother died, she volunteered at an East Palo Alto community law center.
Rose Bird died at Stanford University Medical Center after a long battle with breast cancer. May she rest in peace.
