Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State
Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State
Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State
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<strong>Carolyn</strong> <strong>Dimmick</strong><br />
Research by John Hughes, Lori Larson, Dick Allen and Bob Johnson<br />
Transcription by Lori Larson<br />
Interviews by John Hughes<br />
December 11, 2008<br />
(With corrections and additions from February 12, 2009)<br />
Hughes: It’s December 11, 2008. I’m John Hughes<br />
with the Office <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Secretary</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>State</strong>. We’re with<br />
U.S. District Court Judge <strong>Carolyn</strong> <strong>Dimmick</strong> at the new<br />
Federal Courthouse in Seattle. In 1981, she became the<br />
first female member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Washington</strong> Supreme Court.<br />
Well, judge, I want you to know without any idle<br />
flattery that you look great … and you’re much prettier<br />
than you were in this picture from 1981 (holding up the<br />
first page <strong>of</strong> her biography in Charles Sheldon’s history<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>State</strong> Supreme Court).<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: Oh, well, the hairstyle has changed you know.<br />
<strong>Carolyn</strong> <strong>Dimmick</strong>’s first portrait as a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Washington</strong> Supreme Court in 1981<br />
Hughes: Before I forget this, it says here at the end <strong>of</strong><br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sheldon’s biography <strong>of</strong> you —right before the biography <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> my favorite<br />
people, Justice Jim Dolliver –<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: Mine too. He was in law school with me at the University <strong>of</strong> <strong>Washington</strong> … He<br />
was vice-president and I was secretary <strong>of</strong> the Student Council.<br />
Hughes: Retired Supreme Court Justice Charles Z. Smith, the subject <strong>of</strong> our most recent<br />
oral history, was also in Law School with you.<br />
<strong>Dimmick</strong>: Yes he was. But he graduated in 1955. I graduated in 1953.<br />
Hughes: Is it true that Dolliver, who sat next to you on the Supreme Court bench on your<br />
first day in 1981, passed you a note that said, “Which do you prefer: 1) Mrs. Justice; 2) Ms.<br />
Justice; 3) O! Most Worshipful One or 4) El Maxima”?<br />
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