First Latina woman to serve on Texas Supreme Court is an HISD graduate

In this week’s I am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, Texas Supreme Court Justice (and Austin HS alumna) Eva Guzman talks about being appointed to the court by Governor Rick Perry on Oct. 8, 2009, the importance of mentors, and her passion for improving the lives of children.

You attended HISD’s Lantrip Elementary and Jackson Middle schools before graduating from Austin High School in 1979. How did your experiences in HISD contribute to your success?

I owe a debt of gratitude to the many wonderful teachers and counselors who provided guidance and mentorship to me during my years at HISD. The education I received was the first step on an educational path that would take me to places I did not even imagine as a kid. There are HISD teachers I fondly remember to this day, as they taught me not only academics but important life lessons.

Can you talk a little bit about mentors, whom I know you consider of vital importance?

I have seen firsthand the difference that a dedicated mentor can make in the lives of young people. Mentors provide guidance and counsel and often see potential the mentee cannot see. I owe much of my success to the invaluable advice I have received from many close friends and mentors. I had been practicing law for 10 years when several of my own mentors encouraged me to apply to be a judge on the Harris County Family District Court. There were about 20 applicants, and 11 days after my interview, I found out that I got the job! It was so exciting to go to Austin and be sworn in by then-Governor George W. Bush.

You are the first Hispanic female justice on the Texas Supreme Court. How did that come about, and how did you get started in the legal field?

While a business major at the University of Houston, I developed an interest in law, partly from an experience my parents had with an attorney and partly because of the popularity of TV shows like “LA Law,” which showed women on equal footing with men in the legal profession. I was appointed to the court by Governor Rick Perry in Oct. 2009 to fill a vacant seat and then won my seat in the November 2010 election. Previously, I was the first Hispanic woman to serve on Harris County’s 14^th Court of Appeals and a trial court judge on the Harris County Family District Court.

How does it feel to know that you are a role model to other women?

I hope that my service on the court in some manner inspires young people, especially young women, to pursue their dreams. But beyond that, I hope that my service serves to empower other women to achieve their highest potential. 

What advice would you give to other girls or women who dream of a career in law?

The best advice I can give is that young women interested in law doggedly pursue that interest and seek out mentors to help them navigate the LSAT and application process. And, given the dearth of participation at the highest level of courts by Latinas and the relatively low number of Latina lawyers in the U.S. – only about 1.3% of U.S. lawyers are Latina or slightly over 13,000 out of over 1,000,000 U.S. lawyers – I hope my own journey encourages more Latinas to enter the legal profession.

You’ve been involved with a number of organizations that help children. When did that start? And why is it important for children to perform community service?

My interest in community service was born out of the need I observed in my own community. In college, I was a member of a co-ed service organization that focused exclusively on community service. As a young lawyer, I also participated in organizations dedicated to community service. As a judge, I have served on the boards of many nonprofits.

Children should be engaged in their communities, because it teaches them important lessons and principles that will help shape their own paths. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I think that is great advice for students. I believe that we are all capable of making a difference, no matter our own resources.

You have received many awards. Which ones are you most proud of?

When I was 15, I obtained a summer job through SER Jobs for Progress. This year, I received SER’s Community Leader Award. Walking through the doors of SER decades later and being honored by the organization was very meaningful. The award for me epitomizes the power of education and the impact of community.

What would you like your legacy to be?

I hope that I will be remembered as someone who made a difference in my community and improved the lives of others, especially children.

If you know a graduate, student, employee, or other member of Team HISD who should be featured here, please email us at info@houstonisd.org.