by Judge Tena Callahan – 302nd Family District Court

“Hurry up kids – we need to go so we can get back!” I cannot tell you the number of times my Mother said that to me and my sisters when we were growing up. It wasn’t until I was a Mother myself that I understood exactly what she meant.

I didn’t understand the struggles of those who’d gone before me until I spent some time standing where they stood. As an attorney and now a sitting District Judge, I benefit from those women in the legal profession who blazed the trail before me; banging on the glass ceiling demanding its removal.

Without the input and wisdom of the women whose experiences shaped my life; my Mother, my Grandmother’s, My Aunts, my mentors in the legal community – I would not be the person that I am today. Their struggles, their knowledge, and their wisdom are the loving hands that have carried me to this point in my life.

Just as it was for me it is for those women who come after. My life experiences, my struggles, the knowledge that I have gained is a tool for younger civic-minded woman to engage and utilize. It is also very important that young women know my story; that of a Mother who single-handedly supported her children and put herself through college and law school. Today’s young woman must know that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it; just look at me!

Facebook and Twitter make it much easier to communicate with constituents and the voters through social media. These social media sites allow users to reach out to as many others as possible literally all over the world. This comes in handy if you want to let others know what you are doing and/or what your ideas are on current affairs. There is always the danger of saying something via this social connection that can be taken out of context or misunderstood, so it’s a good idea to be as clear and concise as possible.

My Mother didn’t have that problem. All she had to use to communicate was the telephone; and of course her sage advice to her daughters, “Hurry up kids – we need to go so we can get back!” Maybe I’ll post that on my Facebook page.

“Hurry up kids – we need to go so we can get back!” I cannot tell you the number of times my Mother said that to me and my sisters when we were growing up. It wasn’t until I was a Mother myself that I understood exactly what she meant.

I didn’t understand the struggles of those who’d gone before me until I spent some time standing where they stood. As an attorney and now a sitting District Judge, I benefit from those women in the legal profession who blazed the trail before me; banging on the glass ceiling demanding its’ removal. Without the input and wisdom of the women whose experiences shaped my life; my Mother, my Grandmother’s, My Aunts, my mentors in the legal community – I would not be the person that I am today. Their struggles, their knowledge, and their wisdom are the loving hands that have carried me to this point in my life.

Just as it was for me it is for those women who come after. My life experiences, my struggles, the knowledge that I have gained is a tool for younger civic-minded woman to engage and utilize. It is also very important that young women know my story; that of a Mother who single-handedly supported her children and put herself through college and law school. Today’s young woman must know that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it; just look at me!

Facebook and Twitter make it much easier to communicate with constituents and the voters through social media. These social media sites allow users to reach out to as many others as possible literally all over the world. This comes in handy if you want to let others know what you are doing and/or what your ideas are on current affairs. There is always the danger of saying something via this social connection that can be taken out of context or misunderstood, so it’s a good idea to be as clear and concise as possible.

My Mother didn’t have that problem. All she had to use to communicate was the telephone; and of course her sage advice to her daughters, “Hurry up kids – we need to go so we can get back!” Maybe I’ll post that on my Facebook page.

Judge Tena Callahan is District Judge of the 302nd Family Court in Dallas County. She was born in Dallas and attended the University of Texas in Austin and St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio.