Justice Amy Coney Barrett offers advice to young women in a visit to Oakcrest School

Mrs. Keuchel opened the assembly with sincere gratitude for the Justice’s time and her example of public service. Their dialogue explored the Justice’s path to the Supreme Court, the daily reality of integrating her family life with the Bench, and her advice for the next generation of women leaders.

Throughout the conversation, Mrs. Keuchel referenced the Portrait of the Oakcrest Graduate, which outlines the character and leadership traits Oakcrest students strive to embody. Discussing the trait of “Self-knowledge that informs growth in virtue,” Mrs. Keuchel asked the Justice how she discovered her own talents. Justice Barrett fondly recalled her third-grade teacher, who first recognized her aptitude for reading and writing and encouraged her to pursue advanced studies. She noted that mentors like these were instrumental in helping her identify her strengths and pursue them with confidence.

Later, as a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, the Justice sought to provide that same encouragement to her own students. She observed that her female students often questioned their abilities more than their male counterparts. She urged Oakcrest students to find a healthy middle ground: avoid being cocky, without giving in to too much self-doubt. “Trust your teachers and mentors,” she advised, encouraging students to listen to the potential their educators see in them.

Justice Barrett also spoke to the importance of cultivating a life of prayer and practicing virtue in everyday circumstances. She explained that these were essential in strengthening the “ability to recognize and articulate truth, and the courage to stand by it,” another characteristic listed in the Portrait of an Oakcrest Graduate. “You will confront hard situations in life, where you are made to feel stupid or unpopular because of who you are or what you believe,” she told the students, and resisting these difficult times takes practice. She shared that, to her great surprise, her husband once successfully completed a half-marathon "day-of" with no prior training. However, even with this level of athleticism, he still trained to complete a full marathon the following year. Similarly, she explained that there may be difficult situations where one summons courage quite spontaneously, but in order to face the hardest of challenges, one has to practice, or “train,” every day in prayer and virtue. 

This sense of intentionality came up again in the Justice’s discussion of motherhood and bringing together her service on the Supreme Court with her family life. She described a typical day starting at 5:00 AM to spend time in prayer, exercise and quality time with her children before heading to the Supreme Court, ensuring she works efficiently enough to be home for dinner.

This integration of motherhood and professional life was not immediately evident to her. As a college senior, she recalled questioning how she could pursue a demanding professional career while leaving space in her life for her vocation to motherhood. She noted that this remains one of the greatest pressures young women face today. “Be clear-headed and focused on what is most important to you,” she told the students. “Do not let people give you ideas about any choice that you have to make.” She emphasized that motherhood should never be undervalued and that young women should not feel forced to choose between their professional goals and their family life.

In closing words of advice, Justice Barrett encouraged the students to appreciate the community of faith, education and friendships Oakcrest offers them. Observing the palpable friendships and positive relationships with teachers, she reminded them that this unique environment is a gift—one that serves to strengthen their faith and prepare them for the future.

Justice Barrett’s visit was marked by a sense of connection and warmth. Her down-to-earth advice left the young women of Oakcrest with a clear message: trust your talents, practice virtue daily, and pursue your unique calling with a clear mind and a courageous heart.