Donna Hitchens was the United States’ first openly lesbian elected judge and the founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). This collection contains materials related to Hitchens’ professional career prior to her election as San Francisco Superior Court judge in 1990.

Donna Hitchens was the United States’ first openly lesbian elected judge and the founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). Hitchens graduated from the University of California, Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law in 1977, and founded the organization that became the NCLR immediately afterward. Initially focused solely on issues of concern to lesbians – including custody, adoption, and employment – it now represents gay, bisexual, and transgender clients as well. In 1990, Hitchens was elected to the San Francisco Superior Court, and in 2002 she became its Presiding Judge. She retired from the bench in 2010.

2.5 linear feet (two cartons)

Collection is open for research.