Patricia Timmons-Goodson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pat Timmons-Goodson
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| Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office February 6, 2006 – December 12, 2012 |
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| Appointed by | Mike Easley |
| Preceded by | Sarah Parker |
| Succeeded by | Cheri Beasley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patricia Ann Timmons
September 18, 1954 Florence, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ernest Goodson |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (AB, JD) Duke University (LLM) |
Patricia Ann "Pat" Timmons-Goodson (born September 18, 1954) is an important American judge and politician. She served on the highest court in North Carolina, called the North Carolina Supreme Court, from 2006 to 2012. Before that, she was part of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She was also considered to be a federal judge. In 2020, Timmons-Goodson ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress.
Contents
Early Life and School
Pat Timmons-Goodson was born in Florence, South Carolina. Her father was in the U.S. Army, and her mother was a homemaker. Pat grew up on military bases in both the United States and Europe.
She went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1976, she earned a degree in speech. She then studied law at the University of North Carolina School of Law, getting her law degree in 1979. Later, in 2014, she earned another law degree from Duke University School of Law.
Pat Timmons-Goodson shared that she was inspired to become a judge in 1974. This happened after Judge Elreta Alexander-Ralston visited her speech class. Judge Alexander-Ralston was the first Black judge Pat had ever met. Her powerful words and elegant style truly inspired Pat.
Her Career as a Judge
Pat Timmons-Goodson started her career in 1979. She worked for the United States Census Bureau in Charlotte, North Carolina. From 1981 to 1983, she was an assistant district attorney in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She also worked for Lumbee River Legal Services.
In 1984, she became a Cumberland County District Court Judge. Voters then elected her to four-year terms in 1986, 1990, and 1994. In 1997, Governor Jim Hunt appointed her to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. She left that court in late 2005.
On January 19, 2006, North Carolina Governor Mike Easley chose her for the North Carolina Supreme Court. She took the place of Justice Sarah Parker. When she started in February 2006, she became the first African-American woman to serve on that court. Voters chose her to stay on the court in November 2006. She decided to leave her seat in November 2012. Judge Cheri Beasley was then appointed to fill her spot.
In 2010, Timmons-Goodson was honored. She was inducted into the North Carolina Women's Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed her to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She also served as the Vice Chair of this important group.
Running for Congress
In 2019, Pat Timmons-Goodson decided to run for the United States House of Representatives. She wanted to represent North Carolina's 8th congressional district. This district covers parts of seven counties in North Carolina. She ran against the Republican, Richard Hudson, in November 2020. She did not win the election.
Working in Academia
On July 1, 2023, Timmons-Goodson was named Dean of North Carolina Central University School of Law. In 2012, she wrote a detailed tribute to Judge Elreta Alexander-Ralston. This helped more people learn about Judge Alexander-Ralston's important work.
Personal Life
Timmons-Goodson is a member of The Links, an organization for Black women.
See also
Images for kids
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Pat Timmons-Goodson with Senator Joe Sam Queen in 2006.
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