Barron, Jennie Loitman (1891–1969)

American judge. Name variations: Jennie Loitman. Born Jennie Loitman, Oct 12, 1891, in Boston, Massachusetts; died Mar 28, 1969, in Boston, MA; dau. of Morris Loitman (founder of the Hebrew Progressive Lodge) and Fannie (Castleman) Loitman; m. distant cousin Samuel Barron Jr. (lawyer), June 23, 1918; children: Erma (b. 1919); Deborah (1923–1956); Joy (b. 1931).

In 30-year career as judge, promoted rehabilitation over imprisonment; organized Boston University's equal suffrage league; as president of Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers, successfully campaigned to permit women notaries (1918); wrote League of Women Voters' statement, which supported jury duty for women; was delegate to federal commission on uniform marriage and divorce laws; with husband, practiced law at Boston firm, Barron and Barron (1918–37); served as only woman member of Boston School Committee (1926–29); was 1st president of Women's Auxiliary of Beth Israel Hospital (1926–29) and New England Women's Division of American Jewish Congress; was director of Home Owners Federal Savings and Loan Association (1933–37); served as Massachusetts' assistant attorney general (1934–35) and special justice of Western Norfolk District Court (1934–37); was associate justice of Boston Municipal Court (1938–59), becoming 1st woman in Commonwealth to be full-time judge and only woman to serve on court; was 1st woman to serve as associate justice of MA Superior Court (1959–69); named American Mother of the Year (1959).