Mary K. Davey Carr '52

Segment Synopsis: Administrative Law Judge state of New York. Family background, father in business, mother teacher. Widowed. Family supported her in study of law. Brother loaned her money for school. UB undergrad. Perceptions of lawyers. Role models. Aptitude tests indicated law. Went to Nardin Academy. 2 year pre-law in 1947-48; Law school 1949-52, 5 women in class. All Catholic, 3 Irish, 1 Russian, 1 Polish. Competition among the women. Eagle Street campus. Males, WWII vets, married with families. Women did not speak up in class. Faculty and gender bias. Law librarian was female. Dr. Lenhoff quote. Student culture. Al Mugel told her to ring doorbells from Liberty Bank to Kennefick Cook. Clerked for Tillison Stillman. Mary Ann Killeen, Dora Taylor, women didn't make partner. Navy General Council office. Married, worked part time. Divorced and went to work at family court. Retired. Cram course for Bar exam in NYC. $2500/yr starting salary maybe half of what men made. Hallmark of passing bar was name on door. Women had to wait for men to pass to get name up on door. Admired Lenhoff, Hymen, Mr. Kennefick. Looking back, feels she didn't do enough.

Keywords: Bar Admissions and Exams; Career / Gender; Choosing UB Law School; Law Faculty; Relationship with UB Law; UB Law School general

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW: GENDER