Marsha Ternus Explained

Marsha K. Ternus (born May 30, 1951)^[1] is an American lawyer who served as a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court from September 7, 1993, to December 31, 2010. The members of the court selected her as chief justice in 2006. She was the first woman to serve as chief justice of Iowa's highest court. ^[2] As a Justice, Ternus was part of the unanimous Iowa Supreme Court ruling legally recognizing same-sex marriage in Iowa. Later, she was removed from office after a judicial retention election,^[3] following campaigning by groups opposed to same-sex marriage including the National Organization for Marriage.^[4] In 2012, Ternus received a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation,^[5] along with fellow Justices David L. Baker and Michael Streit.

From 2013 to 2016, she was Director of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Book: Who's Who in American Law, 1998-1999. 1998. Marquis Who's Who. 775. 978-0-8379-3513-3 .
2. News: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/educational-resources-and-services/iowa-courts-history/past-justices/marsha-k-ternus . October 3, 2024 . October 3, 2024 .
3. News: Iowans Dismiss Three Justices . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20101227135753/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101103/NEWS09/11030390/Iowans-dismiss-three-justices . dead . December 27, 2010 . Des Moines Register . November 3, 2010 . February 3, 2015 .
4. News: Gay Marriage Foes Back Push To Oust Iowa Justices. Boston.com. October 25, 2010. February 3, 2015. Associated Press. Mike. Glover.
5. http://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2012-John-F-Kennedy-Profile-in-Courage-Award-Winners-Announced.aspx 2012 JFK Profile in Courage Award Winners Announced
6. Web site: Marsha Ternus to retire as director of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement . 25 April 2016 .