Joyce Hughes (Finding Aid)

Joyce Hughes

1940 -

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Food: Salmon

Favorite Time of Year: Autumn

Interview Length: 185 minutes

Interview Date(s): August 30, 2001

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Law professor Joyce Hughes discusses her family background, describing her father, mother, and siblings, and also recounts her family's move from Alabama to Minnesota. Hughes describes the racial demographics of Minnesota and explains why she enjoyed growing up there. Law professor Joyce Hughes continues to discuss her upbringing and then describes her education. Hughes explains her decision to attend Carleton College, discusses her experience there, and also talks about her time spent in Spain on a Fulbright scholarship. Hughes then talks about her decision to attend law school. Law professor Joyce Hughes describes her time as a law student at the University of Minnesota Law School, detailing the many obstacles she confronted while working her way on to the law review and graduating cum laude. Hughes also details her experiences as a summer associate at a prestigious New York law firm, and her two-year clerkship for a Minnesota federal distrcit court judge. Hughes explains how these extracurricular opportunities helped to shape her view of the law and influence her career. Law professor Joyce Hughes continues to discuss her experience as a clerk for a federal judge in Minneapolis, explaining how she used that experience in her first work at a law firm. Hughes details her time as a practicing lawyer, talking about many cases and incidents in which she faced racism and sexism. Hughes then explains how she became a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, where she faced a faculty and student body rife with racism and sexism as well. Law professor Joyce Hughes discusses the historical impact of her becoming the first black woman hired as a tenure track law professor at a majority law school, the University of Minnesota Law School. Hughes describes the circumstances of her conflict with students and faculty over a grievance filed, an action that eventually led to her leaving the school to teach at Northwestern University School of Law. Hughes explains the different atmosphere she found at Northwestern and in Chicago. Hughes also begins to talk about her role at the first conference of the Helsinki Accord in 1977. Law professor Joyce Hughes discusses her political work as a member of Harold Washington's lawyer's committee during his mayoral campaign. Hughes explains how her connection with Washington led her to being appointed as general counsel of the Chicago Transit Authority. Hughes details her role at the CTA, and tells of how the stress that came with that job may have led to her three strokes. Hughes then discusses the issue of race, skin color, and diversity, particularly in the realm of academic hiring and promotion practices. Law professor Joyce Hughes reflects on her career and talks about how the increasing diversity in legal academia feels rewarding to her and is a part of her legacy. Hughes speaks of the importance of her family, considers her legacy, and debates whether she has any mentors or role models. Hughes also shares her opinions on famous 20th century legal cases, including 'Brown v. Board of Education', the O. J. Simpson trial, and 'Bush v. Gore'.

52 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)