In a landmark decision granting individual citizens the power to sue federal agencies, U.S. District Judge Ann Aldrich forced the Federal Communications Commission to make it easier for minorities to own radio stations in the South.

During her tenure as counsel to the Office of Communication, Inc. (OC Inc.), the UCC's media-justice advocacy arm, Aldrich successfully argued in 1966 the famous UCC v. FCC case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Aldrich, a former FCC lawyer, died May 2. She was 82.

"Ann Aldrich not only broke many social barriers herself, but dedicated her life to helping people of color," said Earl Williams, secretary of the board of OC Inc. and a student and colleague of Aldrich's. "She was a great teacher and a role model for us all. I will miss her dearly."

Added Cheryl Leanza, policy advisor to OC Inc., "One of OC Inc.'s most important legacies is the right of ordinary citizens to participate at the Federal Communications Commission. Before Judge Aldrich's work, only corporations could ask the FCC for policy change. Her legacy in opening the legal doors at the FCC lives to this day."

Prior to becoming a judge, Aldrich partnered with Rev. Everett C. Parker as counsel to OC Inc. She was a pioneer in working for legal standing for citizen groups that challenged FCC license renewals of broadcast stations that failed to serve African-American citizens and, thus, did not broadcast in the public interest.

Handling several high-profile cases in 30 years on the bench, Aldrich oversaw the first trial of then-Congressman James Traficant, who represented himself, and she won that round. Among others, she tried local Catholic officials, an accused Nazi and a conscientious objector.

In 1968, Aldrich moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio, to join Cleveland State University's Marshal College of Law. She taught one of the nation's first environmental law classes and became the school's first tenured woman. She was appointed in 1980 by President Carter as Ohio's first woman federal district judge, serving the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in the Sixth Circuit in Cleveland.

Aldrich retired in 1995 but continued to work as a senior judge despite years of physical problems that included heart and kidney ailments. Her son, Martin, said she disposed of 42 cases in the past three months, mostly at hospitals. She died at Cleveland Clinic.

Aldrich lived, traveled and raised children around the world. She volunteered to rebuild rail lines in Yugoslavia after World War II. She once rode on an elephant and in a hot-air balloon.

"Eat, drink and be merry," she was often quoted as saying, "for tomorrow you may actually be alive."

Services will be held May 15 in Cleveland. Arrangements are with the Brown-Forward funeral home.