Sylvia H. Rambo Exhibit

In honor of her trailblazing career and dedication to the judiciary, Judge Sylvia H. Rambo is the namesake for the new Harrisburg Federal Courthouse.

In 1979, Judge Rambo was the first woman to be appointed to the federal bench in Pennsylvania's Middle District. In 1992, she became the first female chief judge in the court, and still serves as a senior judge for the court today. To highlight this honor, and to ensure that Judge Rambo’s career and legacy are appreciated by everyone moving through the courthouse, Thinc designed an exhibit that combines media, graphics, and objects to tell her story.

Visitors to the Sylvia H. Rambo United States Courthouse first encounter Judge Rambo through her own words—notable Rambo quotes about justice and democracy are affixed to the wall in artful graphic treatments. The quotes serve as an introduction to Judge Rambo, her approach to being a judge, and to the exhibition.

The main exhibit is a compact, triptych display. Two graphic panels flank a centerpiece film installation that features Judge Rambo alongside interviews with those who know her and her work best. The graphic panels reveal Judge Rambo's life and career in further detail, and are supplemented with key photographs, articles, and significant documents in a nearby case. Judge Rambo's portrait anchors the space, establishing her presence in the day-to-day workings of the courthouse.