Graphic: Judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals by gender

by Minnesota Public Radio

The U.S. Courts of Appeals was created by the Judiciary Act of 1891 in response to a dramatic increase in the number of federal appeals that was burdening the U.S. Supreme Court. Nine circuit courts were formed under the act, with the Tenth and Eleventh Circuits being formed in 1929 and 1980, respectively, by subdividing existing districts.

As judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals, men outnumber women by a wide margin.