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A Legacy of Education

Education was vitally important in my family," recalled Martha Rose Reeves, CSS '99, United States Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration. "All ten of my siblings--my six sisters and four brothers--earned at least a bachelor's degree. Two of my brothers graduated from Harvard College. We celebrated a degree in my family the way most families celebrate a marriage."

Martha Rose Reeves, CSS '99

Judge Reeves fits nicely into her family tradition, having celebrated at least one degree or certificate in three of the past four decades: the BA in Philosophy from Brown University in 1962, the EdM in English Education from Boston University in 1964, the JD from New England School of Law in 1976, and the Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management (CSS) this year.

According to Reeves, it was her mother who passed on the legacy of education. A determined and energetic housewife, who also built and managed a complex of motels and cottages in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, she commuted from Providence to Boston to attend New England School of Law. "She had a baby every year while in law school," said Reeves. "Fortunately, she received a lot of support from my father, a Providence wool merchant. He would read the cases to her while she tended to the children."

Judge Reeves entered the workforce in Connecticut in 1964 as a secondary school teacher of English and social studies. After nine years, however, she decided to change careers. "I loved teaching and I think I was good at it," she said, "but my mother had seen some articles I had written for a newspaper in Connecticut and she decided I had what it takes to become a lawyer. She said she would pay the way, and I jumped at the opportunity."

For Reeves the experience of law school was a lot different than it had been for her mother, who was one of only a handful of women in her class. Yet one potential stumbling block for first-year students had always been Moot Court Argument. Reeves remembers her excitement and her mother's relief when she passed. That night when Reeves called with the good news, her mother said, "I thought you were going to make us wait until morning!" Her mother passed away just a month later, in April 1974.

From 1976 to 1990, Reeves worked as an attorney, and especially savored her eight years of work as a court-appointed criminal attorney representing indigent defendants. "I was using my privilege to help people who needed it," Reeves said. "I can't tell you how good it makes you feel to know a helpless person is counting on you." As United States Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration, a position she has held since her appointment in 1991, Judge Reeves hears cases dealing with disability insurance and benefits.

Reeves said it was two former CSS graduates, Richard Gordon, CSS '83, and Bernard O'Brien, CSS '84, both Administrative Court Judges, who told her about the CSS Program. "Dick and Bernie urged me to meet with Dean Comeau to investigate the CSS Program, and I am delighted I did. It's really amazing how I have been able to use my new skills to solve managerial problems in our Boston office, both overtly and covertly," quipped Reeves.

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