Vanessa Gilmore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vanessa Diane Gilmore
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas | |
| In office June 9, 1994 – January 2, 2022 |
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| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089 |
| Succeeded by | John A. Kazen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 26, 1956 St. Albans, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Hampton University (BS) University of Houston Law Center (JD) |
Vanessa Diane Gilmore was born on October 26, 1956. She is a former federal judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. This is a very important job in the American legal system.
President Bill Clinton chose her for this role in 1994. At that time, she was the youngest federal judge in the entire United States. She was also the first person from the University of Houston to become a federal judge.
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Early Life and Education
Vanessa Gilmore was born in St. Albans, New York. She grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland.
She went to Hampton University and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. Later, she studied law at the University of Houston Law Center. She received her law degree in 1981.
After finishing law school, Gilmore worked at a law firm in Houston, Texas. She worked there for 13 years. Her job involved handling civil cases, which are legal disputes between people or organizations.
Community and Political Work
Vanessa Gilmore was very active in her community. She joined the boards of many local groups and charities. She also became involved in Texas politics. She helped with election laws and taught about them.
In 1984, she taught research and writing at the University of Houston College of Law. She helped students learn how to write legal documents.
Her community work caught the attention of Governor Ann Richards. In 1991, the Governor asked Gilmore to join the Texas Department of Commerce Policy Board. This board helps Texas businesses grow and creates jobs. From 1992 to 1994, Gilmore was the chairperson of this board. She was the first African-American person to lead this important group.
In 1993, she also led a group called Texans for NAFTA. NAFTA stands for the North American Free Trade Agreement. This agreement helped increase trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. She worked with leaders from other countries to improve trade.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On March 22, 1994, President Clinton nominated Vanessa Gilmore to be a federal judge. A new judge position was created by law for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
The United States Senate approved her nomination on June 8, 1994. She officially became a judge the next day.
During her time as a judge, she handled many important cases. For example, in 2005, she oversaw a major trial about the Enron Broadband company. She also handled an environmental case about building a cruise ship terminal in Galveston. Judge Gilmore retired from her position on January 2, 2022.
Her Books and Impact
Vanessa Gilmore is also an author. She was inspired to write about adoption because she is an adoptive mother herself.
Her novel, Saving the Dream, tells the story of a young woman facing a big decision. It explores whether she should keep her baby or choose adoption. The book also imagines the different lives the child might have had.
She also wrote Lynn's Angels - The True Story of E. Lynn Harris and the Women Who Loved Him. This book is about the life of author E. Lynn Harris. It shares the story of five women who were like family to him. The book explores how people create their own families and support systems.
Gilmore also co-wrote a children's book. It is called "A Boy Named Rocky: A Coloring Book for the Children of Incarcerated Parents." This book helps children whose parents are in jail. She often speaks about the challenges these children and their families face. She has also helped create programs to support these families.
Her book, "You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Tales From a Judicial Diva," shares stories from her life. It talks about her experiences both as a judge and in her personal life.
Personal Life and Community Service
Vanessa Gilmore is the mother of Sean Harrison Gilmore, who is an entrepreneur. She has received many awards for her community service.
She served as president of the YWCA of Houston. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees for Hampton University for 17 years. She served on the board for the River Oaks Baptist School and an advisory board for Inprint, a group that supports writers and readers.
She enjoys golf and was on the board of First Tee of Houston, which teaches kids golf and life skills. Today, she serves on the boards of the DePelchin Children’s Center and Texas Children’s Hospital. These organizations help children and families.
See also
