Mabel Houze Hubbard

Mabel Evelyn Houze Hubbard (December 22, 1936 – ) was an American judge and teacher. After beginning her career as an English teacher and school administrator, she went back to school herself when she had children, enrolling in law school at the University of Maryland. This led to a second career as a jurist: in 1981, she was appointed by Governor Harry R. Hughes to the Maryland District Court for Baltimore City and four years later to the Circuit Court, again for Baltimore. She was the first African American woman in each of those roles.

Early life Mabel Evelyn Houze was born on December 22, 1936, in Detroit. She grew up in Mount Clemens, Michigan, the daughter of a restaurateur and a nurse. and enrolled in law school at the University of Maryland, located in Baltimore, and took to it immediately—“She just loved it”, her son Robert told The Baltimore Sun. Hubbard primarily dealt with juvenile cases, where her work was regarded as both fair and empathetic. Between this and her Master role, she is acknowledged as the first African American woman ever to become a judge in Maryland, having been excluded from the state bar entirely until 1950. of complications from a fall. She was 69.

The Women's Committee of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association presents an annual Mabel Hubbard Legacy Award to an individual who has tirelessly served the local community.

The new building for the Baltimore City District Court was named the Mabel H. Hubbard District Court in October 2025.