Interview with Mary Louise Graham, April 15, 1992

Interview Summary

This is the second interview with Louise Graham, Professor of Law at the University of Kentucky. In 1973, Graham enrolled in law school at the University of Texas, and graduated with a J. D. Her mother was a housewife who sometimes worked outside the home, and her father was a banker. She describes her work environment, the working conditions of her department, and how her salary reflects her responsibilities. Graham states that she does consulting work and has taken one sabbatical leave. Graham talks about the influence of age, gender, and race on careers at the university. Graham discusses the importance of communication with colleagues and the university, and states that gender, race, and age can affect communication.

She describes the administrative structure of her department, and how conflict is resolved. She talks about her personal life and how it impacts her work, emotionally and financially, since she has two elderly parents and a daughter. Graham discusses her personal and professional extracurricular activities. She feels her greatest personal achievement is that she "has taught almost a whole generation of Kentucky lawyers about family law." Graham explains that she is writing a book on Kentucky domestic relations, and currently researching the development of family court and marital property law. She talks about teaching and her teaching philosophy. She feels her most important work has been in the development of the family court system in the state of Kentucky.

Interview Keyword

Nature of Academic Work

Interview LC Subject

Graham, Louise E. Graham, Louise E.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.