Justice Cleo Elaine Powell was invested earlier today as the 102nd justice and the first African-American woman to serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Powell, who first took the bench in the general district court of Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights 18 years ago, also joins the elite group of justices who have served at every level of Virginia’s state court system.
State legislators joined Gov. Bob McDonnell and Powell’s family and friends in an overflow crowd that spilled out of the courtroom and into side rooms with live video.
By Deborah Elkins
AP photo by Stephen Helber
2 responses so far ↓
1 Yvonne // Oct 24, 2011 at 10:44 pm
It’s wonderful, but sad it took so long. long overdue. congratulations to her Honor!
2 James // Nov 13, 2011 at 8:11 pm
It’s a blessing to witness such an event in these trying times. God is still in charge.
Retired Captain Bell