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
BornFebruary 11, 1902
Elizabeth, New Jersey
DiedJanuary 11, 1995
Cranford, New Jersey
OccupationSenator
Spouse(s)
Peter L. Hughes II
​
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(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]

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
  1. "Mildred Hughes, 92, New Jersey Senator". The New York Times.
  2. "http://www.njwomenshistory.org/Period_6/hughes.htm". www.njwomenshistory.org. Retrieved 2016-09-16. External link in |title= (help)
  3. "Mildred B. Hughes, 92; Influential State Senator". Retrieved 2016-09-16.


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