On September 9, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson met with several Washington judges of color in Seattle as part of her book tour. The meeting was facilitated by Washington Supreme Court Justices Mary Yu and G. Helen Whitener, who saw the event as a valuable mentorship opportunity.
Justice Yu, co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission (MJC), emphasized the importance of diversity on the bench. “I thought it would be a way to affirm and encourage these judges to see themselves as trailblazers in our own state,” said Yu.
Justice Whitener, who mentors many in the legal profession, highlighted the significance of such initiatives. “Pipeline efforts are important,” she stated. “But the importance of being a trailblazer is not to be the first; it is to ensure that you are not the last.”
Justice Jackson, invited by Seattle Arts and Lecture to speak at Benaroya Hall, recently released her memoir titled “Lovely One: A Memoir.” The book chronicles her family's journey from segregation to her confirmation on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The MJC focuses on promoting diversity within the legal profession through various programs:
- Annual Youth and Law Forums in multiple counties where middle- and high-school students learn about legal rights and responsibilities.
- Engagement with law students at universities like the University of Washington, Gonzaga University, and Seattle University to promote diversity.
- A directory of diverse judicial officers in Washington for networking and mentorship purposes.
Established by the state Supreme Court in 1990, the MJC aims to address racial and ethnic bias within Washington's judicial system.
For more information about MJC programs and activities, their recent Annual Report is available online.
Contact:
Frank Thomas - Senior Court Program Analyst
Email: Frank.Thomas@courts.wa.gov
Kelley Amburgey-Richardson - Manager of Supreme Court Commissions
Email: kelley.amburgey-richardson@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson - Senior Communications Officer
Phone: (360) 705-5347
Email: Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov
Wendy K. Ferrell - Judicial Communications Manager
Phone: 360.705.5331
Email: Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson - Communications Officer
Phone: 360.705.5347
Email: Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov