Longtime Judge Trades In Gavel For Role With Local Red Cross Chapter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A longtime judge has a new job at The American Red Cross.

Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes will take over as CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter on May 16th. She has been a Common Pleas Court Judge since 1995 and specializes in homicide cases. Why make the switch now?

"When the call is made, the Red Cross doesn't say give me 15 minutes and I'll be there. So, when the Red Cross called, I couldn't say 'wait.' The question was 'will you come?' and the answer was 'yes,' Hughes said.

The judge admits to having a strong personality which she says will be useful in persuading people to give money to the Red Cross, so the organization can give them assistance when needed.

Reported by Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio