Prof. Marjorie L. Girth

Segment Synopsis: Grew up on a farm, Brother was only other sibling. Parents were first in their families to go to college. High School Latin Teacher insisted she visit Mount Holyoke, MA, which she loved. First year courses, struggling with classwork. Felt poorly prepared aside from Latin. Teachers assisted her with tutorials. Professor Arthur Sutherland advises her to go to Harvard. Arranges for her to visit Cambridge. Taking the LSAT at urging from Sutherland. Receiving scholarship. Parents' reaction to being informed about going to Harvard. After a long pause, one parent said, "Well, you know we wish you well."

Keywords: Accomplishments; Application process; Expectations; Family; Griswald, Irwin; Harvard University; LSAT; Mount Holyoke College; Other Law Schools general; Perceptions; Practitioners and Faculty; Sutherland, Arthur; Undergraduate Education

Subjects: FAMILY HISTORY

Segment Synopsis: Parents were unable to assist with law school finances. Having to find work as a governess. Moving, notes lack of belongings. Growing achievements stemming from being active in many groups. Mentoring philosophy. Working with Arthur Sutherland and Donald Morgan. Sutherland playing the guitar. Sutherland composed song to hint that Harvard was upcoming. Her attitude towards making decisions. Harvard's policy for admitting women was only 10 years old. Common story was "Somebody intervened at a crucial time." Governess to three Rodwin children. Describes working in the Rodwin household. Earning money as a clerk. Cared for children after clerk duties, studied after 9 pm. Permitted to sit in on political dinner conversations. Three children got mumps during her exam period. Moved and worked as a housemother at Radcliffe for room and board. Being distracted by two jobs served as buffer from negative aspects of school. Some teachers had negative attitude toward women, mentions good and bad profs. Male classmates were nice because they didn't believe the female students would be competition for jobs. Women given more opportunities during a generational shift, at the time, Men turned hostile as a result, didn't last long. Griswold's attitude towards female students. Women getting married. His reaction to Girth when she became dean at Harvard. Remembers students having tea with Griswold, jokingly kidding about books being too high on shelves. Griswold didn't realize it was a joke.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Admission; Anecdote; Career / Early; Career / Professional Experience; Experience as Student; Faculty; Faculty / Professors; Financial Support; Gender; Griswald, Irwin; Harvard University; Law School / Gender; Mentors; Other Law Schools general; Perceptions; Rodwin; Sutherland, Arthur; Teaching Law; UB Recruitment; Value of Education; Women and Gender

Subjects: EDUCATION

Keywords: Brookings Institution; Career / Early; Gender; Hill, Harry; Law Firms; Law School / Gender; Legal Community; Mother; Peers; Perceptions; Recruitment; Specialized Training; Teaching Law

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER

Segment Synopsis: Beginning to work in Buffalo December 1970. "See the problems before you see the strengths."; Buildings. Between Eagle Street and Prudential Building. Ropes along sidewalks in January 1971 for pedestrian safety. Day she was hired, riots had broken out on Main St. Campus. Colleagues wanted to take her to the campus to show her riots. Being hired as a faculty member in accordance with moving the school to the Amherst campus, led the Law School to reconsider its faculty recruitment policy. Goal to be the last of the only full-time female professors and to hire professors who broaden the perspectives of legal issues.

Keywords: Anecdote; Career / Gender; Eagle Street; Faculty; Geographical; Location; Perceptions; UB Law School; UB Law School general; UB Recruitment

Subjects: UB LAW FACULTY