Articles - Sharon L. Kennedy

The Marietta Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held their Eighth Annual Washington's Birthday Luncheon in downtown Marietta on Feb. 15, 2015. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy delivered the keynote address.

"Perhaps Washington is best discussed through the opening line of his eulogy by Henry ‘Light-Horse Harry' Lee," Justice Kennedy said. "‘First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'"

Among other insights and anecdotes regarding Washington's life and legacy, Justice Kennedy highlighted how exceptional an act it was when he chose to leave command of the Continental Army following the Revolutionary War in order to return as a civilian to his home at Mt. Vernon.

Yet he was "first in peace," as well, Justice Kennedy said, because the citizens of the former colonies would not let Washington retire. Instead they elected him first to preside over the Constitutional Convention, and then over the new county itself.

"He was ‘first in the hearts of his countrymen' as shown by being the only president ever to receive all of the Electoral College's votes," she said. "He was a leader of his time. The type of leader we are yearning for in our time."

Justice Kennedy is serving her second term on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy served on the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division from 1999 to 2012. She served as the administrative judge there from 2005 until December 2012. Justice Kennedy began her career in the justice system as a police officer in Hamilton, Ohio. She received her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.