mnsss395 Hilda Schwartz Papers, 1930-1994 Finding Aid Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College

Northampton, MA

Finding aid exported into EAD from InMagic DB/Textworks 7.01. Encoded by Margaret Jessup. 2006-12-01 Finding aid written in English. Sophia Smith CollectionSmith College Hilda Schwartz Papers, 1930-1994 Finding Aid MS 281 2006

Collection Overview Schwartz, Hilda G. Hilda Schwartz Papers1930-1994 MS 281 11 boxes (13.75 linear ft.) English Sophia Smith Collection

Smith College Northampton, MA

Lawyer; Judge; Founder, NY Women's Bar Association. Papers consist of correspondence, campaign records, legal documents, biographical materials, newspaper clippings and photographs documenting Schwart's public career and legal work in New York City. NOTE: There is no container list online for this finding aid. You may contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you want one sent to you. Biographical Note

Hilda Ginsburg was born in New York City in 1908. She attended New York City public schools, earned her B.A. from Washington Square College, and her LLB from NYU in 1920; she was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1930. She married Herman N. Schwartz; they had one son, John. She became an associate with a small law firm then had a private practice with her husband until 1946; in 1935 she founded the New York City Women's Bar Association after the New York City Bar denied her application (she was finally admitted in 1940). She was appointed by three different New York mayors and elected as well to many posts including Trial Commissioner of the Board of Estimates (1946-1951); and New York City Treasurer and Director of Finance (1958-1965). Sh e was one of the first women to sit on any New York court, serving on the New York City Magistrates Court (1951 - ?); the New York City Civil Court; and then on the New York State Supreme Court (1972-1984), where she decided cases in international law, banking, employee relations, and many other areas. She did early judicial work with the Home Term Court, succeding Anna M. Kross as Chair of the Home Term Panel and served on numerous judicial committees. She died 18 Mar 1998.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Hilda Ginsburg Schwartz Papers consist of correspondence, campaign records, legal documents, biographical materials, newspaper clippings and photographs, dating from circa 1930s to the 1990s. The bulk of the collection is comprised of material that documents Schwart's life in the public eye, particularly campaign records and related newspaper clippings and biographical and promotional material. Other items of interest include professional correspondence, photographs, and Schwartz's judicial opinions.

NOTE: There is no container list online for this finding aid. You may contact the Sophia Smith Collection if you want one sent to you.

Information on Use Terms of Access and Use

The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection.

This collection has not been fully processed and therefore may be difficult to use.

Copyright to unpublished materials may be owned by the creator, or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Hilda Schwartz Papers, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Search Terms Schwartz, Hilda G. New York (State). Supreme Court New York Women's Bar Association (New York, N.Y.) Courts--New York (State)--New York--History--Sources Jewish women--United States--Biography--Sources Judges--Elections--New York (State)--History--Sources Law--United States--History--20th century--Sources Lawyers--United States--Biography--Sources New York (N.Y.)--Politics and government Women judges--United States--Biography--Sources Women lawyers--United States--Biography--Sources