Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was born in Cleveland County, North Carolina in 1950. I have one older brother and sister, and two younger sisters. I grew up on a farm and loved being a farm girl. We had dairy cows, pigs, and chickens. We also grew cotton and I loved going to the cotton gin with my dad. Our lives centered around that farm, family, church, and school. This wonderful childhood and close family life strongly shaped my value system and my work ethic. I worked as a waitress all through high school to help support my family.

In 1967, during the Vietnam War, my husband was an Air Force interpreter stationed in Okinawa. For the first time I was exposed to another culture, really another world. I came to appreciate the cultural differences that make us unique, but also marveled at the similarities.

I went to college and Law School in Chapel Hill on academic scholarships and money I made working as a secretary. Between semesters of Law School I worked as a student researcher for the State Attorney General's Office. I graduated with Phi Beta Kappa Honors in 1979.

For over four years I was a criminal defense and family law attorney. I was the first woman Assistant District Attorney and the first woman Chief Prosecutor in Superior Court in the 28th Judicial District. In 1990 I was elected the first woman District Court Judge in that same district, and I have served on the bench for the last twenty years.

I am married and have three wonderful children. Cody is 17 and studying radiology at Buncombe County Early College. Jamie is 11 and he attends Cane Creek Middle School. Summer is 8 and in the 4th grade at Fairview Elementary. We have six rescued pets, three dogs and three cats.

The purpose of the law is to get as close to justice as possible. Our system isn't perfect. Not even close. But most of the people I know who serve in the Justice System are dedicated, motivated, focused individuals who are intent on getting as close as we can. Coming to court is not a pleasant task.

Whether it's a traffic ticket, jury duty, small claims or something much more difficult, I want the people who find themselves in that position to know this about me. I want District Court to be a place where people can come together to settle their differences and be treated with common human decency and respect.

For the past twenty years I have brought that philosophy into the courtroom with me and tried to see that it was carried out. Three main principles are always on my mind as I hear a case in my courtroom. My decision must protect the community, uphold the family, and honor the law. If I can reconcile those three principles with my decision, then my decision will approach justice.

During the five terms I have served, I have received many letters, cards, phone calls, and people have even come up to me at the mall or in a restaurant and told me how a decision I made affected their lives. Occasionally it's even a person I have put in jail. All of them have thanked me in some way. These moments of insight and the continued support of the voting public make me believe that I have made a true difference in the lives of the people of my district.

I believe my combination of experience, integrity, and an even judicial temperament continues to make me the best candidate to serve on the 28th Judicial District Court bench.