Pamela Goodwine speaks to supporters at her election night watch party in Lexington, Nov. 5, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)
The first Black Kentuckians to serve on the state’s highest court were recognized Tuesday during the judicial branch’s annual Black History Month Celebration
Justice Pamela Goodwine, elected to the Supreme Court last year, was honored with the Justice William A. McAnulty Jr. Award.
McAnulty, of Louisville, was the first Black person to serve on the Kentucky Supreme Court after he was appointed by Gov. Erie Fletcher in 2006. He died in 2007 after being elected to a full term.
The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on Kentucky courts “through years of service, leadership, job performance or efforts toward improving racial and ethnic diversity and equity in the Judicial Branch,” a press release said.
Accepting the honor from Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert, Goodwine said she was “almost speechless.” She had been a court reporter for McAnulty in 1986 while he was assigned a case in Fayette County.
“I was honored to work with him then, and I shared my dream with him of one day serving on the Kentucky Supreme Court,” Goodwine said. “This is a 45-year dream in the making, and I am honored not only to have accomplished that goal, but one of many firsts, and I am proud to be a trailblazer.”
Goodwine was the first Black woman to become a district and circuit judge in Lexington and a judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
Kate McAnulty, daughter of the late justice, said in a video played during the ceremony that her father “was especially proud to champion women serving in the judiciary” and would have been impressed with Goodwine’s accomplishments and service.
“Both my dad and Justice Goodwine treated people with dignity and presided over cases with fairness. Just as the award suggests, both had a sustained commitment to all people of the commonwealth.”
Lambert said the Supreme Court justices are “excited to work with” Goodwine, whom she called “a hard working, thoughtful and caring member of our court community.”
“Justice Goodwine, we are so grateful for your leadership and your positive attitude, your generosity and your dedicated service to our court community, and you are most deserving of this recognition, and I’m proud to present it here to you today,” Lambert said.
Most Supreme Court justices were present during the celebration and also echoed Lambert’s comments about Goodwine.“It’s wonderful that the Administrative Office of the Courts also recognizes Black History Month in this fashion,” said Justice Michelle Keller. “It’s one we’ll never forget because our new colleague and good friend, Justice Pam Goodwine, has been recognized for a lifetime of work that is not over yet. You’re just getting started.”
Thursday’s celebration marked the fifth time the Administrative Office of the Courts held a Black History Month Celebration.
Shericka Smith, a mental health coordinator for Fayette County Public Schools, gave a keynote address on the legacy and history of Black professionals in the workplace.
Most of the Supreme Court justices had recognized Black History Month last week by attending the Black History Month Celebration hosted by the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus in the Capitol.