2011 Recipient
Margaret R. Fischer was a devoted and generous woman with an enthusiasm for life. Her long history with UNO began when she attended Omaha University where she was Vice President of the Student Council graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1928. She then attended Omaha University Night Law School at the original Pratt Street campus, graduating in 1929.
Margaret's association with the university continued throughout her life. She served as Vice President of the Omaha Alumni Association and as a member of the Board of Regents. She received the University of Nebraska Omaha's Alumni Achievement Award and was a member of the Honorary Order of the Tower in recognition of her service to the school.
She gained prestige in a profession commonly considered the exclusive domain of men. One of the first Nebraska women to earn a law degree, she was a pioneer as a woman in the profession. Margaret announced in the 8th grade that she wanted to become a lawyer. She started working at her father's firm at age 14 to become acquainted with the law. She was admitted to the bar in June of 1929.
Margaret's integrity, honesty, generosity, and kindness allowed her to practice law in a very personal way. She truly loved her work and built a very successful practice. She continued to practice law full-time until her death at the age of eighty-two.
"Law is a great field for women. There has never been a day when I haven't wanted to get up and go to the office."