Karen Hastie Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Hastie Williams
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Williams and Charles Prince of Wales 2005
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Karen Hastie
September 30, 1944 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Died | July 7, 2021 (aged 76) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Alma mater | Bates College Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Catholic University of America |
| Spouse(s) | Wesley S. Williams, Jr. |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | William H. Hastie |
Karen Hastie Williams (born September 30, 1944 – died July 7, 2021) was an important American lawyer. She also served on the boards of many large companies.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Karen Hastie Williams was born in Washington, D.C., in 1944. Her father, William H. Hastie, was a governor. He led the U.S. Virgin Islands for a few years.
Karen went to Bates College and earned a bachelor's degree in 1966. She continued her studies, getting a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1967. Later, she earned a law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1973.
Legal Career and Public Service
After law school, Williams worked for two important judges. She was a law clerk for Spottswood William Robinson III and then for Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall was a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Williams then worked at a law firm called Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Kampelman. Later, she became a partner at Crowell & Moring. She was the first woman and the first person of color to become a partner there.
From 1977 to 1980, Williams was the chief lawyer for the United States Senate Committee on the Budget. This committee helps decide how the government spends money. From 1980 to 1981, she worked for the United States Office of Management and Budget. This was under President Jimmy Carter. She also served on the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board from 2000 to 2003. This was under President George W. Bush.
In the 1980s, Williams helped people who were victims of terrorism. She helped them sue countries that supported terrorist groups. She is known for helping American journalist Terry Anderson. He was held captive for over four years. Williams helped him get money from the Iranian government.
Corporate Boards and Leadership
Karen Hastie Williams also served on the boards of directors for several big companies. She was on the board of Chubb Limited from 2000 to 2010. She also served on the board of SunTrust Banks from 2002 to 2011. Other companies she helped lead included Crestar Bank and the Gannett Company.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy
In 2005, Karen Hastie Williams became the first leader of the Folger Shakespeare Library's new board. The Folger Shakespeare Library is a special place that studies the works of William Shakespeare.
She also served on the board of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This group works to protect civil rights through legal action. She was also involved with the Black Student Fund in Washington D.C. This fund helps students get a good education.
Personal Life
Karen Hastie Williams was married to Wesley S. Williams Jr.. He was also a lawyer and a priest. They had three children together.
She passed away on July 7, 2021, at the age of 76.
See also
- List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 10)
