Leaders participating in our Project: Justice Antonin Scalia Justice Stephen Breyer Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Justice Clarence Thomas ________________________

Use Discussion Questions to examine the leadership roles people have taken to influence the judicial field.

Return to lessons from today's Students & Leaders.

James Madison   [ Watch | Questions ] As a young boy, James Madison witnessed the arrest and imprisonment of Baptist ministers, charged because of their religious beliefs. This experience left a mark on Madison, influencing his political views — specifically, his commitment to the freedom of religion. As an advocate, Madison's stand on this issue was made public at the Virginia Convention where he worked to designate the freedom of religion as a constitutional "right" in the Virginia Constitution, and later in the U.S. Constitution.

[ Watch | Questions ]   Elizabeth Cady Stanton Throughout her life, "Cady" Stanton worked to legitimize and promote women's suffrage. Publisher of The Woman's Bible, and coeditor of The Revolution, a newspaper centered on the feminist movement, Stanton was a dedicated activist who pushed for women's rights. In doing so, she set the foundation for the women's rights movement of the early 1900's that lead to the Nineteenth Amendment.

William Howard Taft  [ Watch | Questions ] William Howard Taft is the only president in American history to have served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. His nomination ignited speculation among critics who questioned how non-partisan this ex-president could be. But, it is said he proved to be an effective leader in the Supreme Court. He utilized skills established during his presidency to improve the efficiency and legitimacy of the Court.