Mildred Barry Hughes
Mildred Barry Hughes (February 11, 1902 – January 11, 1995) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and became the first woman elected to the New Jersey Senate in 1965.
Mildred Barry Hughes | |
|---|---|
 Hughes circa 1957-1965 | |
| Born | February 11, 1902 |
| Died | January 11, 1995 |
| Occupation | Senator |
| Spouse |
Peter L. Hughes II
(m. 1902–1971) |
Politics
She was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, as a Democrat, in 1957, 1959, 1961, and 1963. She became assistant majority leader in 1960 and 1961. When she won her Senate seat in 1965, she was the first Democrat from Union County, New Jersey, to be elected to the Senate in 75 years. She died on January 11, 1995, in Cranford, New Jersey. [1][2]
She was known for sponsoring the following laws and acts:
- revision of the state's Food and Drug Act
- state's first "Good Samaritan" act to protect from lawsuits those who aided accident victims
- control billboards
- to aid nursing schools
- to assist mental health organizations[3]
- a uniform Drinking Age of 21
Personal life
She was born as Mildred Barry in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and married Peter L. Hughes II (1902–1971) and had three children: Peter L. Hughes III, W. Barry Hughes, and David J. Hughes.
References
- "Mildred Hughes, 92, New Jersey Senator". The New York Times.
- "Mildred Barry Hughes". www.njwomenshistory.org. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
- "Mildred B. Hughes, 92; Influential State Senator". Retrieved 2016-09-16.
External links
- "The Blue House". The Historical Marker Database.
Home of Mildred Barry Hughes
- Rutgers: Mildred Barry Hughes