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 |
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| Born | October 26, 1956 St. Albans, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Hampton University (BS) University of Houston Law Center (JD) |
Vanessa Diane Gilmore (born October 26, 1956) is a former United States district judge. She served on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. President Bill Clinton appointed her to this important role in 1994. At that time, she was the youngest federal judge serving in the United States. She was also the first person to graduate from the University of Houston and then 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.
Career Before Becoming a Judge
After finishing law school in 1981, Gilmore worked at a law firm in Houston, Texas. She worked there for 13 years. Her main work was in civil litigation, which means handling legal disagreements between people or organizations.
Vanessa Gilmore was also very active in her community. She served on the boards of many groups that help people. She also worked in Texas politics, helping with election laws. In 1984, she taught law at the University of Houston College of Law.
Her community work caught the attention of Governor Ann Richards. In 1991, Governor Richards appointed Gilmore to the Texas Department of Commerce Policy Board. This board helps Texas businesses, tourism, and job training. Gilmore was the first African-American person to serve on this board. She was also its chairperson from 1992 to 1994. In 1993, she led a group called Texans for NAFTA. This group supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, which helped increase trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
After more than 27 years as a judge, Gilmore started new work. She now helps people solve legal problems as a mediator and arbitrator. She also works with the Roberts Markland law firm. She owns a tearoom in Houston called Tea With Judge V.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On March 22, 1994, President Clinton nominated Vanessa Gilmore to become a federal judge. She was chosen for a new judge position in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The United States Senate approved her appointment on June 8, 1994. She officially became a judge the next day.
As a judge, she handled many important cases. For example, in 2005, she oversaw the Enron Broadband trial. She also handled an environmental case about building a cruise ship terminal in Galveston. Judge Gilmore retired from her position on January 2, 2022.
Books and Writings
Vanessa Gilmore is also an author. She was inspired by her own experience as an adoptive mother to write about adoption. Her novel, Saving the Dream, tells the story of a young woman deciding whether to keep her baby or give it up for adoption. The book also explores what her son's life might be like in both situations.
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 and the five women he considered his family. It explores the idea of choosing your own family.
Gilmore also co-authored a children's book. It is called "A Boy Named Rocky: A Coloring Book for the Children of Incarcerated Parents." She often speaks about issues facing children whose parents are in jail. She has helped create programs to support these families, including a legal clinic at Texas Southern University. Her book, "You Can't Make This Stuff Up: Tales From a Judicial Diva," shares stories from her life as a judge and outside of court.
Personal Life and Community Service
Vanessa Gilmore is the mother of Sean Harrison Gilmore. He is an entrepreneur and a graduate of American University. She has received many awards for her community service. She was president of the YWCA of Houston. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Hampton University for 17 years. She enjoys golf and was on the board of First Tee of Houston.
Currently, Gilmore serves on several important boards. These include the board of Trustees of Texas Children’s Hospital and the board of trustees of the DePelchin Children’s Center. She is also on the board of visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center and the board of trustees of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. She is also a member of the Contemporary Arts Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
See also
