COLUMBUS, Ohio —
Nine days before Martin Luther King’s birthday, a historical barrier was reached, as the Ohio Supreme Court swore in it’s first black female justice at the King Arts Complex on Columbus’ east side.
“She is the american dream come true in Columbus,” said Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman.
50-year-old Yvette McGee Brown, educated at segregated schools in Columbus. Stood with her hand on a bible, held by her husband Tony and was administered an oath of office by Governor Strickland.
“Raise your right hand and repeat after me,” said Gov. Strickland.
With her family behind her, Mcgee Brown took the oath and became the first female African- American Ohio Supreme Court Justice. She gave the credit for this monumental day to her mother.
“She sacrificed everything for us… you are my hero,” said McGee Brown.
Mcgee Brown’s mother, was a scared, single, pregnant teenager in 1960 and she said, “the world didn’t give either of us much hope.”
Through McGee Brown’s upbringing, her mother, Sylvia Kendrick, worked in a factory and took other jobs to support her and her two younger brothers.
“It’s another barrier broken, it strengthens our democracy in visible and demonstrative way by the diverse fabric that we create here today on our states highest court,” said McGee Brown.
The former Franklin County judge filled a vacancy created by the election in November of Justice Maureen O’Connor as Ohio’s first female chief justice.
(Courtesy: NBC 4)
