Judge Karen Russell Carroll took the oath of office Wednesday to the Vermont Supreme Court, marking the first time the state's highest court has had a majority of female justices.
Chief Justice Paul Reiber praised Carroll for her ability to relate to people - and for being a Red Sox fan. Gov. Phil Scott, who nominated Carroll, said the veteran trial court judge possesses the qualities he required: character, competence, commitment, and chemistry.
Scott said he wanted to make clear he didn't select Carroll because she is a woman, but added “to ignore the significance of this appointment would be unfair.”
“To all the young women and men watching us and learning from us, achieving success really is about hard work, about putting in the long hours, the sleepless nights and making those difficult decisions. Success is not something you're handed, it's something you earn,” Scott told the standing-room audience inside the court's chambers.