Overview

The first woman judge in the state of North Carolina and the first woman in the United States to be elected chief justice of a state supreme court, Susie Marshall Sharp (1907-1996) broke new ground for women in the legal profession. When she retired in 1979, she left a legacy burnished by her tireless pursuit of lucidity in the law, honesty in judges, and humane conditions in prisons. Anna Hayes presents Sharp's career as an attorney, distinguished judge, and politician within the context of the social mores, the legal profession, and the political battles of her day, illuminated by a careful and revealing examination of Sharp's family background, private life, and personality. Judge Sharp was viewed by contemporaries as the quintessential spinster, who had sacrificed marriage and family life for a successful career. The letters and journals she wrote throughout her life, however, reveal that Sharp led a rich private life in which her love affairs occupied a major place, unsuspected by the public or even her closest friends and family. With unrestricted access to Sharp's abundant journals, papers, and notes, Anna Hayes uncovers the story of a brilliant woman who transcended the limits of her times, who opened the way for women who followed her, and who improved the quality of justice for the citizens of her state. Without Precedent also tells the story of a complicated woman, at once deeply conservative and startlingly modern, whose intriguing self-contradictions reflect the complexity of human nature.

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9781469641942

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Reviews

Extremely well written and meticulously documented. It presents a vivid portrait of a highly intelligent, courageous woman who braved many personal tragedies while carving a place of honor in the state's judiciary history. --A.C. Snow, Raleigh News &a [An] outstanding and revealing biography. . . . A fascinating account of Sharp's extraordinary professional life. . . . A compelling read, and one that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of North Carolina in the 20th century and the woman More than the stars aligned--more like constellations--for the fascinating and definitive biography of the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of a state Supreme Court to be written.--Metro Magazine Hayes tells [Susie Marshall Sharp's] story beautifully.--The Cullman Tribune Presents Sharp's career as an attorney, judge and politician within the context of the social mores, the legal profession and political battles of her day, and illuminates it with a revealing examination of Sharp's family background, personality and rich private life.--Carolina Country Extremely well written and meticulously documented. It presents a vivid portrait of a highly intelligent, courageous woman who braved many personal tragedies while carving a place of honor in the state's judiciary history.--A.C. Snow, Raleigh News & Observer Hayes demonstrates a passion, respect, and dedication to tell the story of Susie Marshall Sharp in its entirety.--Journal of Southern History A compelling life story that provides a wonderfully intimate view of an important judge. . . . Deserves a lot of credit for a unique approach and diligent research.--North Carolina Historical Review An engaging book. . . . Author Anna Hayes is both a historian and a lawyer, which is a winning combination in chronicling the life of one of the most outstanding jurists North Carolina has ever produced.--Charles Blackburn Jr., Our State [An] outstanding and revealing biography. . . . A fascinating account of Sharp's extraordinary professional life. . . . A compelling read, and one that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of North Carolina in the 20th century and the woman who changed our judiciary forever.--Jack Betts, Charlotte Observer Glowing praise may not sufficiently describe the merit of this book and the high standard it sets as an example of how to tell the story of an important person.--D.G Martin, Raleigh News & Observer It is the complexity of the portrait that makes Hayes' biography fascinating to those who thought they already knew Susie Sharp.--Carolina Alumni Review [Hayes] holds little back, but does not sensationalize the more startling facets of Sharp's life. . . . Hayes captures a woman who made numerous sacrifices for her career and enjoyed numerous successes.--Salisbury Post Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully.--Greene County Independent Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully.-- Greene County Independent Presents Sharp's career as an attorney, judge and politician within the context of the social mores, the legal profession and political battles of her day, and illuminates it with a revealing examination of Sharp's family background, personality and rich private life. -- Carolina Country It is the complexity of the portrait that makes Hayes' biography fascinating to those who thought they already knew Susie Sharp. -- Carolina Alumni Review Hayes tells [Susie Marshall Sharp's] story beautifully. -- The Cullman Tribune More than the stars aligned--more like constellations--for the fascinating and definitive biography of the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of a state Supreme Court to be written. -- Metro Magazine [Hayes] holds little back, but does not sensationalize the more startling facets of Sharp's life. . . . Hayes captures a woman who made numerous sacrifices for her career and enjoyed numerous successes. -- Salisbury Post An engaging book. . . . Author Anna Hayes is both a historian and a lawyer, which is a winning combination in chronicling the life of one of the most outstanding jurists North Carolina has ever produced. --Charles Blackburn Jr., Our State Glowing praise may not sufficiently describe the merit of this book and the high standard it sets as an example of how to tell the story of an important person. --D.G Martin, Raleigh News & Observer Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully. -- Greene County Independent A compelling life story that provides a wonderfully intimate view of an important judge. . . . Deserves a lot of credit for a unique approach and diligent research. -- North Carolina Historical Review Hayes demonstrates a passion, respect, and dedication to tell the story of Susie Marshall Sharp in its entirety. -- Journal of Southern History [Anna R. Hayes'] discovery of documents that unveil the most private dimensions of the life of this very public figure is every biographer's dream. -- Jane Sherron De Hart, co-author of Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA and author of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Before the Bench Without Precedent may not be the book that Anna Hayes expected to write about Susie Marshall Sharp. It is, however, a meticulously researched, beautifully written, and courageous biography of one of the most respected and influential American women of the twentieth century. -- E. Garrett Walker, Clerk to Chief Justice Susie Sharp, Supreme Court of North Carolina, fall 1975 to spring 1976 An objective portrait of a complicated woman. . . . The author shares many of her subject's best traits and experiences. . . . Hayes brings a feel of law offices, courtrooms and judicial politics to her story. . . . A powerful example of how to tell the story of an important person. -- D.G. Martin, The Charlotte Observer [Stories] that show the positive contributions of Sharp to her state and her family, are now recounted vividly by Hayes. -- D.G. Martin, syndicated columnist Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully. -- Greene County Independent [Anna R. Hayes'] successful search for documents that unveil the most private dimensions of the life of this very public figure are every biographer's dream. --Jane Sherron De Hart, co-author of Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA and author of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Before the Bench

Extremely well written and meticulously documented. It presents a vivid portrait of a highly intelligent, courageous woman who braved many personal tragedies while carving a place of honor in the state's judiciary history. --A.C. Snow, Raleigh News &a [An] outstanding and revealing biography. . . . A fascinating account of Sharp's extraordinary professional life. . . . A compelling read, and one that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of North Carolina in the 20th century and the woman More than the stars aligned--more like constellations--for the fascinating and definitive biography of the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of a state Supreme Court to be written.--Metro Magazine Hayes tells [Susie Marshall Sharp's] story beautifully.--The Cullman Tribune Presents Sharp's career as an attorney, judge and politician within the context of the social mores, the legal profession and political battles of her day, and illuminates it with a revealing examination of Sharp's family background, personality and rich private life.--Carolina Country Extremely well written and meticulously documented. It presents a vivid portrait of a highly intelligent, courageous woman who braved many personal tragedies while carving a place of honor in the state's judiciary history.--A.C. Snow, Raleigh News & Observer Hayes demonstrates a passion, respect, and dedication to tell the story of Susie Marshall Sharp in its entirety.--Journal of Southern History A compelling life story that provides a wonderfully intimate view of an important judge. . . . Deserves a lot of credit for a unique approach and diligent research.--North Carolina Historical Review An engaging book. . . . Author Anna Hayes is both a historian and a lawyer, which is a winning combination in chronicling the life of one of the most outstanding jurists North Carolina has ever produced.--Charles Blackburn Jr., Our State [An] outstanding and revealing biography. . . . A fascinating account of Sharp's extraordinary professional life. . . . A compelling read, and one that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of North Carolina in the 20th century and the woman who changed our judiciary forever.--Jack Betts, Charlotte Observer Glowing praise may not sufficiently describe the merit of this book and the high standard it sets as an example of how to tell the story of an important person.--D.G Martin, Raleigh News & Observer It is the complexity of the portrait that makes Hayes' biography fascinating to those who thought they already knew Susie Sharp.--Carolina Alumni Review [Hayes] holds little back, but does not sensationalize the more startling facets of Sharp's life. . . . Hayes captures a woman who made numerous sacrifices for her career and enjoyed numerous successes.--Salisbury Post Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully.--Greene County Independent Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully.-- Greene County Independent Presents Sharp's career as an attorney, judge and politician within the context of the social mores, the legal profession and political battles of her day, and illuminates it with a revealing examination of Sharp's family background, personality and rich private life. -- Carolina Country It is the complexity of the portrait that makes Hayes' biography fascinating to those who thought they already knew Susie Sharp. -- Carolina Alumni Review Hayes tells [Susie Marshall Sharp's] story beautifully. -- The Cullman Tribune More than the stars aligned--more like constellations--for the fascinating and definitive biography of the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of a state Supreme Court to be written. -- Metro Magazine [Hayes] holds little back, but does not sensationalize the more startling facets of Sharp's life. . . . Hayes captures a woman who made numerous sacrifices for her career and enjoyed numerous successes. -- Salisbury Post An engaging book. . . . Author Anna Hayes is both a historian and a lawyer, which is a winning combination in chronicling the life of one of the most outstanding jurists North Carolina has ever produced. --Charles Blackburn Jr., Our State Glowing praise may not sufficiently describe the merit of this book and the high standard it sets as an example of how to tell the story of an important person. --D.G Martin, Raleigh News & Observer Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully. -- Greene County Independent A compelling life story that provides a wonderfully intimate view of an important judge. . . . Deserves a lot of credit for a unique approach and diligent research. -- North Carolina Historical Review Hayes demonstrates a passion, respect, and dedication to tell the story of Susie Marshall Sharp in its entirety. -- Journal of Southern History [Anna R. Hayes'] discovery of documents that unveil the most private dimensions of the life of this very public figure is every biographer's dream. -- Jane Sherron De Hart, co-author of Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA and author of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Before the Bench Without Precedent may not be the book that Anna Hayes expected to write about Susie Marshall Sharp. It is, however, a meticulously researched, beautifully written, and courageous biography of one of the most respected and influential American women of the twentieth century. -- E. Garrett Walker, Clerk to Chief Justice Susie Sharp, Supreme Court of North Carolina, fall 1975 to spring 1976 An objective portrait of a complicated woman. . . . The author shares many of her subject's best traits and experiences. . . . Hayes brings a feel of law offices, courtrooms and judicial politics to her story. . . . A powerful example of how to tell the story of an important person. -- D.G. Martin, The Charlotte Observer [Stories] that show the positive contributions of Sharp to her state and her family, are now recounted vividly by Hayes. -- D.G. Martin, syndicated columnist Hayes tells [Sharp's] story beautifully. -- Greene County Independent [Anna R. Hayes'] successful search for documents that unveil the most private dimensions of the life of this very public figure are every biographer's dream. --Jane Sherron De Hart, co-author of Sex, Gender, and the Politics of ERA and author of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Before the Bench

Author Information

Anna R. Hayes is a former partner in the Raleigh, North Carolina, law firm of Manning, Fulton, and Skinner, P.A. She divides her time between Paris and Chapel Hill.

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