Not In Our Wildest Dreams, produced by Missouri Humanities, explores the evolution of the Missouri Supreme Court through the stories of the women who have served on its bench—from trailblazers to today’s historic female majority. The American Law Institute is proud to recognize that two of the distinguished judges featured in the film, Mary Rhodes Russell and Laura Stith, are ALI members.
The film begins with the groundbreaking appointment of the Honorable Ann Covington in 1989, the first woman to serve on Missouri’s highest court, and traces the collective impact of female justices through to the Court’s historic milestone in 2023, when Missouri became the 14th state in the nation to achieve a female-majority Supreme Court. Alongside Covington, the documentary highlights the contributions of Justices Mary Rhodes Russell, Laura Stith, Robin Ransom, Ginger Gooch, Kelly Broniec, and Patricia Breckenridge.
Through candid interviews and archival footage, Not In Our Wildest Dreams underscores the personal journeys of these judges, their shared commitment to the rule of law, and their efforts to promote civic education and youth engagement across the state. The documentary also explores the important role of the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan, emphasizing the value of merit-based judicial selection in fostering public trust and a fair judiciary.
In addition to its historical and biographical focus, the film shines a light on the Court’s work outside the courtroom, including initiatives aimed at increasing public understanding of the judicial system and encouraging civic participation among young Missourians.
To learn more about the film and to find screening opportunities, visit the Missouri Humanities website.