Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was raised in Wilmington, NC and graduated from New Hanover High School ranked 6th in my class of 578. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in 1975 from UNCW. From 1975 until 1980 I taught Language Arts and Social Studies at Noble Junior High School in Wilmington, NC. Thereafter, I attended UNC School of Law, Chapel Hill and received my Juris Doctor degree in 1983. I actively practiced law from 1983 until 1993. I was appointed to the District Court bench in 1993, elected in 1994 and re-elected every 4 years thereafter.

I have served in many legal professional leadership roles. I served as a Vice President of the NC Bar Association, Member of the Board of Governors of the NC Academy of Trial Lawyers, President of the New Hanover County Bar Association and Chair of the Judicial Division of the NC Association of Women Attorneys.

I have always been active in community organizations. I served as the Chairman of the UNCW Alumni Association Board of Directors, as a member of the Board of Directors of Wilmington Health Access for Teens, Family Services of the Lower Cape Fear, and the Wilmington YWCA. In 2004 I served as Chairperson of the UNCW Task Force on Campus Violence Prevention. In the fall of 2009 I founded the Sisters in Christ Bible study for inner city teenage girls. I currently serve as the Chairperson of the Wrightsville United Methodist Church Administrative Council.

In 1994 I received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from UNCW and the New Hanover High School Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1998.

I have been endorsed for re-election by the NC Association of Women Attorneys and the Fraternal Order of Police Lower Cape Fear Lodge.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as district court judge for 17 years. I make decisions every day that affect the lives of those who come before the court for criminal, civil, domestic, and juvenile matters. These matters are very important to the parties. I take the time to try to understand the facts, apply the correct law and make a correct decision, both legally and in the best interests of the parties and our community. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job has been having parties come back and say, "Thank you. What you did helped."

I have put special emphasis on the areas of substance abuse and youth gang activity. I was the first judge to preside over the New Hanover County Drug Treatment Court and worked for many years to obtain a state run residential drug treatment facility for women. I have spoken to numerous community groups and judicial organizations on the topic of youth gangs and their impact on the judicial system and our community. 

I believe a judge must be hardworking, competent in the law, caring about the community and the parties in court, fair to all parties and serve as a role model to young persons in our community and courts.

I want to use the knowledge and experience I have gained by actively practicing law and serving as judge to continue to serve my community. I think this experience is vital to the proper performance of this job. I am the only candidate who offers this courtroom knowledge and experience. The endorsements I have received show support for the job I have done and confidence in my ability to continue.