Widener Law - Widener Women’s Law Caucus honors retired Judge Susan C. Del Pesco

News & Events: Delaware Campus

Widener Women’s Law Caucus honors retired Judge Susan C. Del Pesco

Public Relations - Published: February 19, 2009

The Women’s Law Caucus on the Delaware campus has bestowed its inaugural Women’s Advocate Award to retired Superior Court Judge Susan C. Del Pesco.

The award honors an individual for his or her achievements and contributions that directly advance women in the legal profession and advocate for women in the community.

Del Pesco graduated from Widener Law when it was known as Delaware Law School. She was a member of the class of 1975 – the school’s first class. She currently serves on the law school’s Board of Overseers and is a member of the adjunct faculty, teaching a course on legal writing. She also recently signed on to serve as director of the Division of Long Term Care Residents’ Protection program within the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

Del Pesco retired from the Superior Court bench in June 2008. She was the first woman appointed to serve as a judge of that court and she also served as the first female president of the Delaware State Bar Association from 1987-1988. As a judge, she co-chaired the Delaware Supreme Court’s Gender Fairness Task Force. She also was part of a project to start the state’s first drug-treatment facility for incarcerated women. She currently serves as the public member on the board of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“Judge Del Pesco’s professional accomplishments are a continuing inspiration to women throughout the legal profession,” said Destiny Prater, president of the Women’s Law Caucus. “When we decided to begin giving this award she was an easy choice to be our first recipient.”

The student group honored Del Pesco at a reception Thursday, Feb. 19 in the Barristers’ Club.