Diane Patrick (lawyer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Diane Patrick
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Patrick in 2011
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| First Lady of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 4, 2007 – January 8, 2015 |
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| Governor | Deval Patrick |
| Preceded by | Ann Romney |
| Succeeded by | Lauren Baker |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Diane Beamus
December 17, 1951 Brooklyn, New York |
| Spouse | |
| Relations | Bertram L. Baker (grandfather) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Queens College (BA) Loyola Marymount University (JD) |
Diane B. Patrick (born December 17, 1951) is an American lawyer. She specializes in helping people with work-related legal issues. She was the First Lady of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. This was when her husband, Deval Patrick, was the Governor. She was also a partner at a law firm called Ropes & Gray in Boston.
Contents
Diane Patrick's Life Story
Early Life and Education
Diane Patrick was born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1951. She was the youngest of three children. Her father, John Charles Bemus, was an electrician. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was injured during his service in 1943.
Her mother, Lilian Bemus, was a schoolteacher. She taught in Brooklyn schools for over 30 years. Diane's family believed that education and success were very important.
Diane's grandfather, Bertram L. Baker, was a politician. He came to the United States from Nevis in 1915. In 1948, he became the first Black person elected to office by voters in Brooklyn.
Diane grew up in Brooklyn and later moved to Hollis, Queens. She finished high school when she was 16. In 1972, she earned a degree in early childhood education from Queens College.
She worked as an elementary school teacher for five years. Then, she moved to Los Angeles to study law. She received a scholarship to Loyola Law School. She earned her law degree in 1980. She received many awards for her excellent work in law school.
After law school, she worked for a law firm in Los Angeles. In 1983, she helped open a new office for the firm in New York City.
Diane met Deval Patrick in Los Angeles. He was also a new lawyer. They married on May 5, 1984, in Brooklyn. They have two daughters, Sarah and Katherine. In 1986, Diane and Deval moved to Massachusetts.
Diane Patrick worked as a lawyer for Harvard University. In 1992, she became a director in their human resources department.
For some years, Diane and Deval lived in different cities because of their jobs. They moved to Milton, Massachusetts, in 1989. In 1994, Deval worked for the United States Department of Justice in Washington D.C.. Diane joined a law firm there for a short time. Soon after, Diane and their daughters moved back to Milton.
In 1995, Diane joined Ropes & Gray, a well-known law firm in Boston. She worked there as a lawyer specializing in labor and employment issues.
First Lady of Massachusetts
Diane Patrick helped her husband during his campaign for governor in 2006. Deval Patrick won the election. He became governor in January 2007, and Diane became the First Lady of Massachusetts. She served in this role for eight years, while also continuing her law career.
Early in 2007, Diane faced some health challenges and needed time to rest and recover. She took a break from her law firm to get better. A year later, she spoke publicly about her recovery. She became a strong supporter for mental health awareness and treatment. She continued to work on these important issues even after her time as First Lady.
Diane Patrick remained an active partner at Ropes & Gray while she was First Lady. In 2010, she became the head of the firm's diversity committee. This committee works to make sure everyone feels included. In 2013, she was promoted to a co-managing partner at the firm's main office in Boston.
After Being First Lady
Diane Patrick retired from Ropes & Gray in 2016. She had worked there for 21 years.
After leaving her role as First Lady, she received several awards. In 2015, she was honored by the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians. She also received an award for excellence in labor law. In 2017, she received the Champion of Justice Award. In 2019, she was given the Public Service Award from the Boston Bar Association.
In 2018, Diane Patrick faced a health challenge. She recovered well after surgery and treatment. Her husband, Deval Patrick, first decided not to run for President of the United States in 2020 because of her health. After her recovery, Diane encouraged him to enter the race in November 2019. She also talked with her friend, former First Lady Michelle Obama, for advice. If Deval Patrick had been elected president, Diane said she would have focused on childhood education, mental health, and women's rights.
Diane Patrick actively supported her husband's campaign in New Hampshire. However, Deval Patrick decided to stop his campaign after the New Hampshire primary.
Diane Patrick has served on the boards of several organizations. These include ArtsBoston, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. She has also been a member of boards for schools and other important groups.
Images for kids
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Patrick in 2011
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Patrick around 2007
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At the end of her husband's time as governor, the Patricks meet with incoming governor Charlie Baker and his wife, Lauren
