Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy gave a keynote speech to the Rotary Club of Urbana during Monday’s meeting.
Kennedy has served on the Ohio Supreme Court since December 2012. Before she was a justice, she served as judge of the Butler County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division. She started in that position in 1999.
During Monday’s meeting, Kennedy spoke to club members about “The Ohio Judicial System and You.”
Kennedy outlined Ohio’s three branches of government: The legislative, executive and judicial branches.
She provided examples of how citizens participate in the different branches of government.
“There are many who will argue with me that they are not the center of government, but you are and you participated in it every primary season and every general election where you elect on the even-numbered years the men and women who will represent … you, your voice down here in Columbus,” Kennedy said. “You have the ability – the same as I do as a person – to pick up the phone and tell your representative what you think the law should be or to caution them not to vote for particular legislation that you are against. Make no mistake they are your representative there to do your will.”
Speaking on the Ohio Supreme Court, Kennedy said the court had 98 cases to write opinions on last year.
Kennedy commended the Rotary Club for actions that impact the local and global community.
“You’re helping people find water to drink in places where every day it is a task to find clean drinking water, where survival of a child is based on getting that that day,” Kennedy said. “You’re ending polio around the globe, and here in your own community you’re helping the less fortunate, building a brotherhood and really giving back.”
