Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Ventress, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2013-10-20

Duration: 00:26:09

Subjects: KIMBALL, CATHERINE "KITTY" | Law | Louisiana. Supreme Court | Juvenile justice, Administration of | Women judges

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Yancey, Allegra Nevils Producer
• Kimball, Clyde Interviewee
• Lemmon, Harry Interviewee
• Morel, Georgia Interviewee
• Landrieu, Mary Interviewee
• Kimball, Kitty Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from October 20, 2013, features an interview with Catherine “Kitty” Kimball conducted by Beth Courtney. Kimball was the first woman elected as a Louisiana District Judge and a Louisiana Supreme Court Justice. In 2009, she became the first woman to serve as the Chief Justice on the court. She discusses: her health, following a stroke in 2010; attending LSU Law School as a back-up plan; her decision to start practicing law after having three children; running for office; patterning herself after Lindy Boggs; the inner workings of the Supreme Court; the critical decisions made by the Court; her passion for juvenile justice; swearing-in elected officials, including Governors Kathleen Blanco and Bobby Jindal; how the perception of the judiciary has changed; and her plans to work on behalf of abused and neglected children. The interview is preceded by a biographical segment on Kimball, including interviews with her husband Clyde Kimball, retired Justice Harry Lemmon and United States Senator Mary Landrieu.