Justice Melody Stewart to speak at Black History event Feb. 10.

Justice Melody Stewart to speak at Black History event Feb. 10.

The path to the Ohio Supreme Court can follow many twists and turns. For Justice Melody Stewart, it started with an interest in music theory and composition.

Justice Stewart will share her journey from playing the piano as a child to making the decision to go to law school at the Ohio Supreme Court’s annual Black History Month celebration Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.

“Before I started law school, I didn’t know that music and law had anything in common,” Justice Stewart said. “I thought, having majored in music as an undergrad, I was entering law school at a disadvantage compared to my classmates who were political science, history, and pre-law majors. But that wasn’t the case.”

Justice Stewart, the first African-American woman elected to the Court, studied music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music before choosing a career in law. She started her legal career working as an assistant law director for the city of Cleveland.

Justice Stewart also worked in legal education as a professor and an administrator at several law schools. She served on the Eighth District Court of Appeals before being elected to the state’s highest court.

The event will be held at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center and is open to the public. RSVP by Feb. 6 to forum@sc.ohio.gov or 614.387.9267.