Jeannine Turgeon
1952 -
Interview Length: 71 minutes
Interview Date: October 6, 2009
Interview Location: Dauphin County Court House, Market and Front Street, Harrisburg, PA
Born in Ephrata, young Jeaninne Turgeon moved to Harrisburg in the early sixties with her father, a soils engineer for the Department of Transportation, and her mother, a school nurse. She attended E.H. Phillips Elementary School, and Central Dauphin East Junior High and Senior High. While she enjoyed school, those years were overshadowed by civil unrest. Inspired by President Kennedy, her interest in politics led her to major in political science at Chatham College and then attend the University of Pittsburgh Law School. She clerked for Judge Blatt in Pittsburgh after law school and returned to Harrisburg as an associate lawyer in bankruptcy law at Nauman, Smith, Shissler and Hall, later making partner. In 1991 she was the first woman elected to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - the third Democrat in 250 years.
- Jeannine Turgeon talks about where she grew up and her parents.
- Jeannine Turgeon describes her early education.
- Jeannine Turgeon discusses race relations.
- Jeannine Turgeon mentions her high school years.
- Jeannine Turgeon talks about her first memory of politics.
- Jeannine Turgeon remembers attending college and her life in Pittsburgh.
- Jeannine Turgeon describes coming back to Harrisburg.
- Jeannine Turgeon describes life as an associate in a law firm.
- Jeannine Turgeon talks about starting her own law firm and family balance.
- Jeannine Turgeon gives her thoughts on families today.
- Jeannine Turgeon describes being the first woman elected to the County Court.
- Jeannine Turgeon gives her thought on electing judges.
- Jeannine Turgeon compares other court systems.
- Jeannine Turgeon gives advice on women considering a legal career.
- Jeannine Turgeon remembers Justice O'Connor.
- Jeannine Turgeon remembers other notable people.
- Jeannine Turgeon describes a typical day in her life.
- Jeannine Turgeon talks about her neighborhood.
- Jeannine Turgeon talks about Harrisburg's strengths.
