Introduction
Marjorie "Midge" Osterlund Rendell (born 1947) is a Senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a former First Lady of Pennsylvania. In 2003, she was named to the PoliticsPA list of "Pennsylvania's Most Politically Powerful Women".
Personal background
Rendell was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Her father was employed as a DuPont executive and she attended Ursuline Academy.
She married Ed Rendell, a future Governor of Pennsylvania, in 1971. On January 21, 2003, Judge Rendell administered the oath of office to her husband after he won the gubernatorial election in November 2002. During her husband's campaigns for mayor and governor, Rendell was barred by the federal judicial ethics code from publicly campaigning on his behalf, as well as from taking part in some fundraisers. On February 7, 2011, a joint email from the couple announced that they had amicably separated. They have one adult son, Jesse. On September 6, 2016, Ed Rendell announced the couple had filed for amicable divorce.
Professional background
Private practice
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law in 1973. Afterward, she practiced as an attorney for 20 years as a partner at the Philadelphia firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, where she focused her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation. She also served as a mediator for the United States District Court.
While in private practice, Rendell experienced sexism originating from both her clients and cohorts. At times, she was called "honey" by her male colleagues and would hide or downplay the existence of her then young son.
District Court service
In 1994, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve as a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Court of Appeals service
In 1997, she was once again nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate, this time for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The circuit court hears cases from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She assumed senior status on July 1, 2015
In 2008, Rendell served as a part of a three-judge panel that overturned the Federal Communications Commission's indecency fine against CBS related to Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson's infamous 2004 Super Bowl 'wardrobe malfunction'.
Philanthropy
In 1993, Rendell founded and managed Avenue of the Arts, Inc., whose purpose was to develop Philadelphia's Broad Street into a world-class artistic venue. She currently serves as one of the members of the board of directors. She is also a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.