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Women in the Archives: Sarah T. Hughes

Judge Sarah T. Hughes (1896-1985) is best known for swearing in Lyndon B. Johnson, to the U.S. presidency after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. She began her career as a lawyer in Dallas, when she joined her first firm in 1923. During that time she served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives, as one of the first females elected after women’s suffrage. In 1935, Hughes was appointed the first female district judge in Texas, and was elected seven times after her initial appointment.

In 1961, after being denied nomination to a federal judgeship because of her age, sixty-five, Hughes called on the Texas Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club to take on a letter-writing campaign in support of her candidacy, which led to President John F. Kennedy appointing her later that year. Among her most notable decisions as a federal judge were Roe v. Wade, 1970 (the legalization of abortion in the United States), Shultz v. Brookhaven General Hospital, 1969 (equal pay for equal work for women), and Taylor v. Sterrett, 1972 (upgrading prisoner treatment in the Dallas County jail).

Find Hughes’ 1969 oral history, and her 1979 oral history in the Libraries catalog.

Painting in a brown wooden frame. The painting is of a judge in her black robe, sitting in a brown chair with her arms on a book.
A wooden chair with a soft red cushion, the arms of the chair are cushioned as well.
A white page, with the date at the top and a small letter under it, consisting of two paragraphs.
A white page, worn out and slightly wrinkled. The date is at the top, a letter under consisting of two small paragraphs. The bottom of the page has an extra note that says PS.
Light brown telegram, several hole punches in the left and right margins. The top of it is titled Western Union Telegram, under it is black text.
Light brown telegram, several hole punches in the left and right margins, and two along the top edge. The top of it is titled Western Union Telegram, under it is black text.
Black and white photo of a man in a suit with his right hand raise, his other hand on a bible being held by a woman. Another woman in a coat is standing next to him, other people seen behind them. They are in a tight, enclosed space.
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