THE SARAH T. HUGHES CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD
Named after the renowned federal district judge from Dallas, Texas, the Sarah T. Hughes Civil Rights Award was created
to honor that man or woman who promotes the advancement of civil and human rights amongst us, and who
exemplifies Judge Hughes' spirit and legacy of devoted service and leadership in the cause of equality. Judge Hughes
was a pioneer in the fight for civil rights, due process, equal protection, and the rights of women.
CRITERIA AND PROCESS:
The Award will be presented each year at the President's Installation Banquet to an attorney or judge whose career
achievements have made a difference in advancing the causes that were important to Judge Hughes. Such work may
include either ground-breaking achievement or a body of sustained and dedicated work in the area of civil rights, due
process, and equal protection.
The nominee should have at least ten years of practice. The nominee must either be a member in good standing of a
state bar association or retired. The nominee should demonstrate sustained and verifiable excellence in the legal
profession, and be of good character.
The nomination package should include the following:
1.
A resume and biography of the nominee.
2.
A two-to-three-page description of the career achievements of the nominee as a lawyer or a jurist in the area of
civil rights, due process, and equal protection.
3.
No more than three testimonials or letters of recommendation.
4.
No more than three articles about the nominee. Any such articles must be primarily focused on the nominee’s
work in civil rights, due process, and equal protection.
5.
A list of other awards the nominee has received.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES AND PRESENTATION OF AWARD
All submissions must be sent electronically to [email protected] on or before June 2, 2014. Please do not
send hard copies of the submission.
The subject line of the email submission must be in the following format:
“Hughes Award – Name of Nominee”
The award will be presented during the Annual Meeting and Convention. If the recipient is unable to attend, a
representative may be designated to accept the award. Please contact the Federal Bar Association at (571)
481-9100 if you have any questions.
THE HONORABLE SARAH T. HUGHES
Judge Sarah T. Hughes was a pioneer in the fight for civil rights. Never afraid to be “the first,” she was passionate about
the cause of equality and left a legacy of service and leadership. Judge Hughes spoke often about the formula upon
which she replied: “*p+ick out your goal and then use courage and determination to reach it.”
A woman of strong convictions and great presence, Judge Hughes was a tireless advocate for equal rights for all. “In
terms of energy, intelligence and common sense, . . . *Judge Hughes+ was the star of the Dallas trial bench.” “Impudent
lawyers, double talking witnesses and political opponents learned to fear and respect her as a stern jurist who ran a no
nonsense courtroom.”
Born in Baltimore in 1896, Sarah Tilghman was educated at Baltimore’s Goucher College, where she earned her biology
degree and a Phi Beta Kappa key. Tilghman then went on to teach science at Salem College in North Carolina for two
years, but returned to Washington, D.C. in 1919 to become a police officer while attending George Washington
University School of Law. She married a fellow law student, George Hughes. In 1922, the Hughes moved to Dallas,
Texas, where, together, they set up a law practice. Hughes practiced law for 13 years.
In 1930, Hughes was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. She was re-elected in 1932 and 1934. In 1935, she
was appointed to serve as judge of the 14th District Court of Texas, and became the first female district court judge in
Texas. She successfully ran for that bench after completing her initial term, was re-elected to it another six times, and
ultimately served on it for 26 years.
In 1952, Judge Hughes’ name was placed in nomination for the Vice Presidency at the Democratic Convention, making
her the first woman to be so nominated in any major party. Acknowledging the compliment, she nevertheless withdrew
her name from consideration.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy appointed Judge Hughes to the federal district court, making her the first woman federal
district court judge in Texas. Two years later, Judge Hughes swore in President Lyndon B. Johnson after the
assassination of President Kennedy.
In 1964, Judge Hughes was the first recipient of the Federal Bar Association’s Outstanding Woman Jurist Award; that
award was presented to her by then-FBA president, Ramsey Clark.
Judge Hughes was active in professional and community organizations. She served as the National President of the
Business and Professional Women’s Clubs; was a founding member of the Hoblizelle Foundation; was a trustee for both
Goucher and Bishop colleges; served as president of the Dallas Zonta Club; and was a dedicated member of the United
Nations Association, the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, and the American Association for University
Women.
Judge Hughes was honored with the George Washington University Alumni Achievement Award (1937) and the Zonta
Service Award (1946). She was named the Outstanding Woman in the Field of Law by Who’s Who In American Women
(1968).
While often described as diminutive, Judge Sarah T. Hughes stood tall among the leaders for civil rights in Texas and the
nation. “She was the champion of lost causes, of the little person, of the underdog.”