Sallyanne Payton facts for kids

Sallyanne Payton is an American lawyer who was born in Los Angeles, California. She is a retired professor of law from the University of Michigan Law School. She made history as the first African-American person to graduate from Stanford Law School.

Early Life and Education

Sallyanne Payton grew up in Los Angeles, California. Her father worked in insurance, and her mother was a schoolteacher.

She went to Stanford University and then studied law at Stanford Law School. In 1968, she earned her law degree. This was a very important moment because she was the first African-American person to graduate from Stanford Law School. While she was a student there, she also worked as an editor for the Stanford Law Review, which is a special journal where legal topics are discussed.

Career Highlights

After finishing law school, Sallyanne Payton started her career at a law firm called Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. Her work there caught the attention of President Richard Nixon.

In 1971, President Nixon asked her to join his team at the White House. She worked on the White House Domestic Council staff, helping with important issues inside the country.

Government and University Roles

Later, in 1973, she was appointed as the Chief Counsel for the Urban Mass Transportation Administration. This part of the U.S. Department of Transportation helps manage public transportation systems in cities.

In 1976, Sallyanne Payton began teaching law at the University of Michigan Law School. She became a full-time professor there. She was also elected to the Board of Trustees at Stanford University for a five-year term. The Board of Trustees helps guide the university.

During the time that Bill Clinton was president, Sallyanne Payton served as an adviser. She helped with the Clinton Health Care Reform Task Force. This group worked on ideas to improve healthcare for people in the United States. Because of her work, she was chosen as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Later Career and Retirement

On May 28, 2008, Sallyanne Payton was reappointed as the William W. Cook Professor of Law. She held this important teaching position until May 31, 2013.

In 2010, she was elected to the National Academy of Social Insurance. She also became a Senior Fellow of the Administrative Conference of the United States. In 2013, Sallyanne Payton officially retired from her teaching role at the University of Michigan Law School.

Images for kids

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  Sallyanne Payton (at left) with other women who worked for President Nixon.

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  President Nixon with Sallyanne Payton and others.