Pump Up Your Book Chats with Judge Glenda Hatchett

Judge Glenda Hatchett After graduating from Emory University School of Law and completing a coveted clerkship in the U.S. Federal Courts, Glenda Hatchett accepted a position at Delta Air Lines, as the company’s highest-ranking African-American woman. She served in dual roles as a senior attorney for Delta, litigating cases in federal courts throughout the country, and Manager of Public Relations, supervising global crisis management, and media relations for all of Europe, Asia and the United States. In fact, her outstanding contributions were recognized by Ebony Magazine, which named Glenda Hatchett one of the “100 Best and Brightest Women in Corporate America.” She made the difficult decision to leave Delta Air Lines in order to accept an appointment as Chief Presiding Judge of the Fulton County, Georgia Juvenile Court.

Upon accepting the position, Glenda Hatchett became Georgia’s first African-American Chief Presiding Judge of a state court and the department head of one of the largest juvenile court systems in the country. Glenda Hatchett is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and has been recognized as a distinguished alumni and awarded an honorary degree by the college. She also attended Emory University School of Law and because of her commitment to excellence and service within the community, Glenda was awarded the Emory Medal, the highest award given to an alum by the university. Currently, Glenda Hatchett presides over the syndicated show, “Judge Hatchett” currently in its 8th season (Sony Pictures Television), and is author of the national best-seller, “Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say” (HarperCollins). She has previously served on the Board of Directors of Gap, Inc. the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), and The Service Master Company.

Presently, Glenda Hatchett is a board member of the Atlanta Falcons Football Organization and serves on the Board of Advisors for Play Pumps International. She also serves on the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Board of Governors and she resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her two sons.

Her latest book is Dare to Take Charge: How to Live Your Life on Purpose.

You can visit her website at www.glendahatchett.com.

Dare to Take Charge Thank you for this interview, Judge Hatchett. What was the inspiration behind Dare to Take Charge?

Judge Hatchett: After so many people stopped me for advice asking questions about life changing and life challenging circumstances I thought it would be appropriate to deal with some of these issues in a book that challenges all of us to take charge of this one precious life we have been given.

What kind of research did you do before and during the writing of your book?

Judge Hatchett: The book is based on a collection of riveting stories from my years of experience on the bench and my journey through life. So my “research” was drawn from my world of experiences.

If a reader can come away from reading your book with one valuable message, what would that be?

Judge Hatchett: Dare to live your life fully, boldly and purposefully!

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

Judge Hatchett: This book is designed to challenge us and to speak to the reader’s soul. Unlike some self help books that say if you do A, B and C your life will be transformed, I believe that there is no generic one size fits all answer. Rather Dare to Take Charge is a book that can be deeply personal and challenges the reader to do some soul searching and ask some soul stirring questions that I believe will lift them to higher ground. The exercises at the end of each chapter are created to do just that – make the reader think about their lives and their circumstances in a way that I trust will inspire them to get real about their reality and Dare to Take Change!

Who are some of your favorite authors and/or books?

Judge Hatchett: I love all kinds of mysteries, especially criminal mysteries, which probably comes as no surprise. Agatha Christie’s short stories are still among my all time favorites.

If you could meet any author, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Judge Glenda Hatchett: Nelson Mandela because of his incredible journey; he is one of my heroes who changed the world forever.

What causes are you most passionate about and why?

Judge Hatchett: I am deeply concerned and passionate about our children and families. Our children are all we have with which to build a new generation of men and women and if we want our children to do right we have to do right by them. I have launched a new social networking site www.Parentpowernow.com for parents and influencers of children. Think of it as the face book for parents and influencers of children. We are building an incredible network of support to share information as we work together to strengthen each other in this important journey of parenting. All are invited to join an build your profile and invite others to join the movement.

Share with us a few of your dreams. Also whether they have been fulfilled or are still a work in progress.

Judge Hatchett: I am building a new production company which I am very excited about and I am doing something that I have wanted to do for years – write a series of children’s books.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Judge Hatchett: There really is no such thing as a typical day for me. I could be doing volunteer work for one of the organizations I support; I could be working on projects for my productions company. I could be consulting on a media project for a colleague; I could be attending a board meeting; I could be responding to the needs of friends/ family members; I could be delivering a key note address at a conference; I could be hanging out with my Mom; I could be traveling with my sons; I could be working on building Parent Power Now and the list goes on and on and on…and that’s typical.

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Judge Hatchett. We wish you good luck and success with your book!

Judge Hatchett: Thank you for having me!


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