Honorable Judy McMahon

Currently one of two female Supreme Court judges on Staten Island (elected 2003-2012), Judy McMahon (b. 1955) grew up in Jersey City, NJ as part of a “traditional� Italian-American extended family in an Irish-German immigrant neighborhood. Her father, a World War II decorated veteran (Battle of the Bulge) died when she was seven. Her mother Josephine, who taught Special Education, night school and English as a Second Language, inspired in her three children a strong work ethic and advised Judy “You need to be economically independent and should never be vulnerable, particularly as a woman.� Such wisdom contributed to feminist interests early in life. At Rutgers she immersed herself in the sciences, particularly chemistry; Rutgers College of Pharmacy in the mid-70s provided a diverse, politically dynamic and largely male-dominated environment (with only two female professors). Only after graduation, in the workforce, did she become more aware of gender discrimination, particularly in the hospital setting. After five years, she decided that a career in pharmacy didn’t fit her more “people-oriented personality� and transferred to New York University law school, where she met her current husband. Her pharmacological background was an advantage for pursuing a career in civil law and she became one of the fist female lawyers on the defense side, working with Julien Schlesinger, one of the “Masters of the Courtroom.� Her talents did not protect her from misogyny from the bench. The birth of her son led her into the NY State unified court system, with more manageable hours and a public service ethic. She has since taken leadership roles related to gender fairness in Richmond County and New York legal systems and in mentoring and empowering other women and men.

Interview, Staten Island, 24 March 2006 with Prof. Lori R. Weintrob