Doris I. Byrne

Doris Irene Byrne (June 13, 1905 – June 28, 1975) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. She was the first woman justice of the New York City Court of Special Sessions, appointed in 1950.

Life

She was born on June 13, 1905,[1] in the Bronx, New York City, the daughter of Daniel J. Byrne (died 1955)[2] and Mabel Byrne.

Doris Byrne was a member of the New York State Assembly (Bronx Co., 2nd D.) in 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937; and was Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Welfare in 1935. She resigned her seat upon the adjournment sine die of the legislature on May 8, 1937, and was appointed as Executive Deputy Secretary of State of New York.[3]

On November 24, 1942, she was appointed to the New York City Council to fill the vacancy caused by the absence of Lt. Col. Charles E. Keegan, and took her seat on December 1.[4]

She was a delegate to the 1944 and 1948 Democratic National Conventions; and was Vice Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee in 1945.

In July 1948, she was appointed as a City Magistrate to fill a vacancy.[5] In August 1949, she was appointed to a ten-year term as City Magistrate.[6] In January 1950, she was appointed to the New York City Court of Special Sessions to fill a vacancy.[7] In July 1950, she was appointed to a ten-year term on the Court of Special Sessions.[8] She retired from the bench in 1965.

She died on June 28, 1975, at her home in Patchogue, New York.[9]

Sources

  1. ↑ New York Red Book (1937; pg. 91)
  2. ↑ DANIEL J. BYRNE in the New York Times on September 25, 1955 (subscription required)
  3. ↑ WOMAN LEGISLATOR GETS EXECUTIVE JOB in the New York Times on May 9, 1937 (subscription required)
  4. ↑ TAKES SEAT ON COUNCIL in the New York Times on December 2, 1942 (subscription required)
  5. ↑ Woman Magistrate Sworn In in the New York Times on July 22, 1948 (subscription required)
  6. ↑ 2 MAGISTRATES SWORN IN in the New York Times on August 19, 1949 (subscription required)
  7. ↑ First Woman Appointed To Special Sessions Bench in the New York Times on January 12, 1950 (subscription required)
  8. ↑ Miss Byrne to Take Oath in the New York Times on July 10, 1950 (subscription required)
  9. ↑ DORIS I. BYRNE, 70, OF CRIMINAL COURT in the New York Times on June 29, 1975 (subscription required)
New York Assembly
Preceded by
William F. Smith		 New York State Assembly
Bronx County, 2nd District
1934–1937 		Succeeded by
Patrick J. Fogarty