From Adversity to Authority

By Jaylan Brown  /  Photos by Holland Studios

Adrienne Nelson was honored with the installation of Adrienne C. Nelson High School into Oregon’s North Clackamas School District in 2021.

In 1985, Adrienne C. Nelson (B.A., criminal justice and English, summa cum laude, ’90) graduated Gurdon High School with the highest GPA in her class and with the title of valedictorian but not without legal intervention. There was a plan to deny her the accolade in favor of a white student despite Nelson’s superior academic performance. This pivotal moment introduced her to the field of law when her mother, a former guidance counselor, pursued legal action against the school district. The school district bestowed Nelson the honor soon thereafter.

“We all have a responsibility to make this world better,” Nelson said. “I believe in accountability. We [cannot] just harvest what has been given to us. We need to take care of [those gifts].”

Two decades later, Nelson’s exemplary legal acumen earned her a seat on the Multnomah County Circuit Court bench, a position she held with distinction for twelve years. Her commitment to justice culminated in her historic appointment as the first Black woman to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court in 2018, followed by her prestigious appointment by President Joe Biden as judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon in 2023, a groundbreaking achievement that shattered barriers and elevated her as a role model for future generations.

“We have made important progress in ensuring that the federal judiciary not only looks more like the nation as a whole, but also includes judges from professional backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented on the bench,” President Biden said in a statement on February 14, 2023, anticipating Nelson’s judgeship approval.

Nelson’s journey from a small railroad town in Arkansas to the national stage embodies the transformative power of education and the limitless potential cultivated through an honors experience.

“I understand my successes,” Nelson said. “But at my heart, even though I’m a judge, I’m a hometown girl who received a lot of support who gets to live her dream every day. I carry that with me always.”

While she was born in Kansas City, Missouri, Nelson and her family moved to Gurdon, Arkansas, a town of less than 2,700 people, when she was a child.

Describing Gurdon as “predictable,” Nelson used that familiarity to forge strong bonds with her educators, laying her academic foundation. Her family also helped to foster a deep appreciation for education, setting high expectations for achievement and perseverance. In high school, she discovered a passion for literature and its ability to “transport [her] through reading,” with books offering her a gateway to new dreams and faraway places. A graduation gift of a thesaurus from one of her teachers further fueled her desire to continue her education.

Determined to go beyond the confines of Gurdon, Nelson seized an opportunity to join a research program at the U of A, offering both a financial stipend and on-campus housing.

“In the mid-80s, the number of Black students on campus was less than 5 percent,” Nelson cited. “To see the number of students I see on campus today, I know that [attending the U of A] did make a difference because more students were willing to come.”

Nelson thought the U of A would lead her to become a pediatrician, but her path shifted after she took an aptitude test suggesting she may be suited for a career in law—a decision reinforced by her mother’s counseling background. Embracing her strengths, she immersed herself in criminology studies and continued her work in English.

Her college journey was marked by a commitment to excellence, exemplified by pursuing an honors degree—this decision was heavily influenced by a faculty mentor who emphasized the challenging but transformational coursework.

“They wanted [the coursework] to be more intensive so that you [would be prepared to go to] a graduate program, which was interesting to me,” Nelson shared. “I wasn’t afraid of work, not even hard work, and I wanted to be developed so that I could be the best person I could be.”

Beyond academics, Nelson remained actively engaged in campus life, embracing her cultural heritage and continuing her mother’s legacy through membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She contributed her talents and leadership across campus, serving as president of Phi Beta Kappa, joining the gospel choir and tutoring student athletes. In addition to her campus commitments, Nelson interned for the same attorney who won her valedictorian case in high school.

“I came to campus wanting to connect with everything I could,” Nelson noted. “A big memory for me is connecting with professors who really saw me as a person and helped me grow. They never tried to tell me what to do, but they would ask me questions to help me find my voice.”

In 1990, Adrienne graduated summa cum laude with degrees in criminal justice and English, embarking on the next chapter of her journey toward law school as a single mother.

“I feel like I was volun-told to be a leader,” Nelson smiled. “That wasn’t my goal, but I was willing to step up. I learned that stepping up often brings other voices to the table, and I liked that.”

Her varied experience and strong academic performance led her to the University of Texas School of Law, where she earned her JD in 1993. After attaining her law degree, she moved to Oregon to begin her career, eventually leading to her federal appointment.

Nelson has received and been nominated for numerous honors, including the installation of Adrienne C. Nelson High School into Oregon’s North Clackamas School District in 2021.

“There is so much to like about Judge Nelson, but what I like most is that she’s a role model for young people,” said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, supporting Nelson’s federal judgeship.

At her core, Nelson remains grounded in her commitment to mentorship and community engagement. She actively supports initiatives to empower youth and foster leadership within her community. She values “harvesting and planting,” crediting her successes to the mentors in her life and giving back by assuming similar roles.

Despite the more than 2,000-mile distance, Nelson also remains connected to the U of A, often gathering with friends to watch Razorback sporting events. She cherishes her Arkansas connection in Oregon as another arm of her vast network.

Reflecting on her experience, Nelson emphasizes the importance of trusting yourself. When she speaks to students, she notes, “hard work will pay off despite the difficult days.” Just as her path turned toward law, she encourages students not to be afraid of pivoting and seeking new career paths, as they will “learn from mistakes and failures as much as successes.”

“Life is like a rock wall—there are no straight lines along your journey,” Nelson said. “Where you end up is where you are supposed to be.”