Letter from Justine Wise Polier to Hon. Jule Sugarman, Administrator
Excerpt from a 1971 letter from Justine Wise Polier to Judge Jule Sugarman, Court Administrator. It is an example of the day to day struggle she fought against institutional racism.
Courtesy of Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
Date / time
1971
Institution
Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
Author(s)
Polier, Justine Wise
Transcript
A two year old child of two addicted parents had to be removed for temporary care. I walked into my chambers adjoining the court where a transportation worker was speaking to Allocations. I heard her say, He is a Negro, but he is a beautiful little boy. No, I can't say he is light skinned. He is dark skinned. She then reiterated, "But he is a beautiful little boy." At this point I took the telephone...I told her I was Judge Polier, and wanted to know by what right she was asking such questions in regard to emergency, temporary foster home care.
Jewish Women's Archive. "Letter from Justine Wise Polier to Hon. Jule Sugarman, Administrator." (Viewed on December 25, 2024) <https://jwa.org/media/letter-from-justine-wise-polier-to-hon-jule-sugarman-administrator>.