Latest news with #Goodwine
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
First Black woman elected to Kentucky Supreme Court takes oath
Former Kentucky Chief Justice Laurance Van Meter, left, administers the oath of office to Justice Pamela Goodwine. With Goodwine are her husband, Lee A. Padgett Jr., and great-grandson, Beckham Mourning. (Photo by Mark Cornelison/Administrative Office of the Courts) FRANKFORT — Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine — the first Black woman elected to the high court — was officially sworn into office Friday to cheering and clapping in the packed Frankfort chambers and the two overflow rooms. Goodwine reflected on her life of overcoming obstacles when speaking Friday, and promised to carry 'the importance of faith and education and perseverance' with her in the future. Trailblazer: A conversation with Kentucky Supreme Court Justice-elect Pamela Goodwine 'I always say I don't give up on my dreams when life gets hard, I simply work harder to make my dreams come true,' she said. 'If there is one philosophy and action I would like to be known for and for you all to recognize and live by as well, that is it. No matter what life brings your way, keep dreaming, keep working for your goals.' Goodwine spent time in foster care as an infant and was later adopted by her foster parents, the Lantern previously reported. The Youngstown, Ohio, native and high school valedictorian gave up a college scholarship to support her adoptive father who was dying of lung cancer. About six months after her father was diagnosed, he died. After his death, his brother killed her mother. At 24, she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an incurable bowel inflammation condition that can be painful and disruptive to life. After that diagnosis, she spent two months hospitalized and had to re-learn how to eat and walk. She began working in the courts as a legal secretary and court stenographer. She earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Kentucky and in 1994 entered private practice with the firm Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs until her appointment to the district court bench in 1999. Goodwine won her circuit judge seat in 2003. She became the first Black woman to serve on the Kentucky Court of Appeals after being elected in 2018. 'I have often been called a trailblazer,' Goodwine said. 'More important than achieving any individual accomplishment, I have always believed that it is each of our responsibility to live and serve in ways that make the world a better place for generations that follow us.' During her investiture, Goodwine's fellow justices praised her for her tenacious character and long career of firsts. They also applauded her for making history yet again in officially donning her Supreme Court robes and inspiring broader trust in the court Justice Angela McCormick Bisig said race and gender aren't usually part of the discussions justices have about cases on their docket. Reflecting on her mountain roots, Debra Lambert takes public oath as Kentucky's chief justice But, she said, 'for this court to do that very important work, it is best to have all lived experiences and points of view at the table, because we can all strive to be compassionate and understanding, but we really can't know what it's like to be someone else.' Gov. Andy Beshear said Goodwine's win is a 'cause for celebration' but 'it's also a reminder of our reality, that nearly 250 years into the history of this great country, we are still recognizing firsts.' 'Because of Justice Goodwine's tenacity, pushing through personal tragedy, struggle and, yes, discrimination that still exists in our world, we are closer to the promise of our country that every child no matter their circumstances can dream of being a Kentucky Supreme Court justice,' Beshear said. 'I'd like to thank her for making us a little bit better here in the commonwealth today.' Chief Justice Debra Lambert called Goodwine's presence a 'gift to our court' and 'a reminder that the court should be principled and deliberate and deeply human.' While judicial races are nonpartisan, both Goodwine and her opponent received partisan support. Democrat Beshear's political committees contributed $510,000 to help Goodwine win. Her donors also included former Democratic Govs. Steve Beshear and Paul Patton, as well as some Democrats in the legislature. Goodwine won her race for the 5th District seat in November, becoming the first woman and fifth person in history to serve at every level of the judiciary. The Kentucky Supreme Court also has a majority of women now, for the first time ever. Goodwine's investiture was originally scheduled for January but was delayed because of weather. During the ceremony, Fayette County District Judge Melissa Moore Murphy led the crowd in singing 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' the Black National Anthem. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky's first female chief justice credits Appalachian upbringing for her commitment to fairness
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's first female chief justice said Tuesday that she's 'never given much thought to gender,' an outlook she attributed in part to her upbringing when she worked at her father's auto shop. 'I don't think you can expect good or bad decisions that I might make as chief (justice) to be either clouded or enhanced by my double X chromosomes,' said Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert. "They will simply be either good or bad decisions — and carefully made.' Lambert was chosen by her colleagues on the state Supreme Court last year to succeed Laurance VanMeter as chief justice after he opted not to seek reelection in 2024. Her Appalachian upbringing also forged her commitment to fairness and for everyone to have a voice, she said Tuesday. Lambert also said that it's 'especially nice' to be part of the first female majority on Kentucky's Supreme Court. Kentucky's top leaders marked both milestones during a ceremony in the Supreme Court chambers. The event initially was set for January but a winter storm forced its rescheduling. The contest last year to fill VanMeter's seat led to another milestone achievement, when Pamela R. Goodwine became the first Black woman elected to Kentucky's highest court. And she became the fourth woman on the seven-member court. A similar ceremony recognizing Goodwine's election is set for Friday. Both Lambert and Goodwine have already assumed their new roles. Goodwine said Tuesday that she's inspired by Lambert's example as a trailblazer in the judiciary. 'Your leadership is a tribute to the progress we continue to make in building a judiciary that reflects the diversity and strength of our society,' Goodwine said. When it was her turn to talk, Lambert said becoming the first woman chief justice 'I suppose is notable.' 'Truthfully, I've never given much thought to gender," Lambert said. "And perhaps that attitude came from where I was raised – the mountains of eastern Kentucky.' That included the life lessons she learned while working at her father's auto body shop, including the time she had to replace the brake shoes in her car. Lambert said she told her dad she needed his help, having never done the task before. He responded by telling her to watch closely how she removed the old brake shoes and to put the new ones on the same way, she said. As chief justice, Lambert said she'll be guided by her parents' philosophy to work hard, be joyful and fearless. She said her passion for people and justice developed during her Appalachian upbringing. 'When you grow up so modestly, you develop a strong sense of a need for a level playing field and for everyone to be heard," she said. "Those concepts are foundational in my worldview, and I hope you will be satisfied with my work performed as chief justice.' Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller said Tuesday that the court's process of interpreting and applying the rule of law hasn't changed now that women are the court's majority. 'Because first and foremost, the four women on this court are judges and lawyers,' Keller said. "And that's what we bring to this job. All seven of us bring that to this job. We all bring our personal experiences and our personal backgrounds.' Kentucky's Democratic governor and the Republican leaders of the state House and Senate spoke about the historic milestones on the state's highest court. Gov. Andy Beshear said the court holds a 'special responsibility' of upholding the law and sometimes defining it — 'and to do so without bias or favor to any person or to any party.' The state's Supreme Court justices are elected in nonpartisan contests and, as a result, their job 'is to move our commonwealth not to the left or to the right but forward for all of our citizens," said Beshear, who is seen as a potential candidate for president in 2028. 'Our high court justices and the many people who support their important work make up the backbone of our democracy — the rule of law," the governor said. "This is the foundation of a functional system of government. One that's designed to serve the people and not merely the powerful.'
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Kentucky's first female chief justice credits Appalachian upbringing for her commitment to fairness
Kentucky 's first female chief justice said Tuesday that she's 'never given much thought to gender,' an outlook she attributed in part to her upbringing when she worked at her father's auto shop. 'I don't think you can expect good or bad decisions that I might make as chief (justice) to be either clouded or enhanced by my double X chromosomes,' said Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert. "They will simply be either good or bad decisions — and carefully made.' Lambert was chosen by her colleagues on the state Supreme Court last year to succeed Laurance B. VanMeter after he opted not to seek reelection in 2024. Her Appalachian upbringing also forged her commitment to fairness and for everyone to have a voice, she said Tuesday. Lambert also said that it's 'especially nice' to be part of the first female majority on Kentucky's Supreme Court. Kentucky's top leaders marked both milestones during a ceremony in the Supreme Court chambers. The event initially was set for January but a winter storm forced its rescheduling. The contest last year to fill VanMeter's seat led to another milestone achievement, when Pamela R. Goodwine became the first Black woman elected to Kentucky's highest court. And she became the fourth woman on the seven-member court. A similar ceremony recognizing Goodwine's election is set for Friday. Both Lambert and Goodwine have already assumed their new roles. Goodwine said Tuesday that she's inspired by Lambert's example as a trailblazer in the judiciary. 'Your leadership is a tribute to the progress we continue to make in building a judiciary that reflects the diversity and strength of our society,' Goodwine said. When it was her turn to talk, Lambert said becoming the first woman chief justice 'I suppose is notable.' 'Truthfully, I've never given much thought to gender," Lambert said. "And perhaps that attitude came from where I was raised – the mountains of eastern Kentucky.' That included the life lessons she learned while working at her father's auto body shop, including the time she had to replace the brake shoes in her car. Lambert said she told her dad she needed his help, having never done the task before. He responded by telling her to watch closely how she removed the old brake shoes and to put the new ones on the same way, she said. As chief justice, Lambert said she'll be guided by her parents' philosophy to work hard, be joyful and fearless. She said her passion for people and justice developed during her Appalachian upbringing. 'When you grow up so modestly, you develop a strong sense of a need for a level playing field and for everyone to be heard," she said. "Those concepts are foundational in my worldview, and I hope you will be satisfied with my work performed as chief justice.' Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller said Tuesday that the court's process of interpreting and applying the rule of law hasn't changed now that women are the court's majority. 'Because first and foremost, the four women on this court are judges and lawyers,' Keller said. "And that's what we bring to this job. All seven of us bring that to this job. We all bring our personal experiences and our personal backgrounds.' Kentucky's Democratic governor and the Republican leaders of the state House and Senate spoke about the historic milestones on the state's highest court. Gov. Andy Beshear said the court holds a 'special responsibility' of upholding the law and sometimes defining it — 'and to do so without bias or favor to any person or to any party.' The state's Supreme Court justices are elected in nonpartisan contests and, as a result, their job 'is to move our commonwealth not to the left or to the right but forward for all of our citizens," said Beshear, who is seen as a potential candidate for president in 2028. 'Our high court justices and the many people who support their important work make up the backbone of our democracy – the rule of law," the governor said. "This is the foundation of a functional system of government. One that's designed to serve the people and not merely the powerful.'
Associated Press
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Kentucky's first female chief justice credits Appalachian upbringing for her commitment to fairness
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's first female chief justice said Tuesday that she's 'never given much thought to gender,' an outlook she attributed in part to her upbringing when she worked at her father's auto shop. 'I don't think you can expect good or bad decisions that I might make as chief (justice) to be either clouded or enhanced by my double X chromosomes,' said Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert. 'They will simply be either good or bad decisions — and carefully made.' Lambert was chosen by her colleagues on the state Supreme Court last year to succeed Laurance B. VanMeter after he opted not to seek reelection in 2024. Her Appalachian upbringing also forged her commitment to fairness and for everyone to have a voice, she said Tuesday. Lambert also said that it's 'especially nice' to be part of the first female majority on Kentucky's Supreme Court. Kentucky's top leaders marked both milestones during a ceremony in the Supreme Court chambers. The event initially was set for January but a winter storm forced its rescheduling. The contest last year to fill VanMeter's seat led to another milestone achievement, when Pamela R. Goodwine became the first Black woman elected to Kentucky's highest court. And she became the fourth woman on the seven-member court. A similar ceremony recognizing Goodwine's election is set for Friday. Both Lambert and Goodwine have already assumed their new roles. Goodwine said Tuesday that she's inspired by Lambert's example as a trailblazer in the judiciary. 'Your leadership is a tribute to the progress we continue to make in building a judiciary that reflects the diversity and strength of our society,' Goodwine said. When it was her turn to talk, Lambert said becoming the first woman chief justice 'I suppose is notable.' 'Truthfully, I've never given much thought to gender,' Lambert said. 'And perhaps that attitude came from where I was raised – the mountains of eastern Kentucky.' That included the life lessons she learned while working at her father's auto body shop, including the time she had to replace the brake shoes in her car. Lambert said she told her dad she needed his help, having never done the task before. He responded by telling her to watch closely how she removed the old brake shoes and to put the new ones on the same way, she said. As chief justice, Lambert said she'll be guided by her parents' philosophy to work hard, be joyful and fearless. She said her passion for people and justice developed during her Appalachian upbringing. 'When you grow up so modestly, you develop a strong sense of a need for a level playing field and for everyone to be heard,' she said. 'Those concepts are foundational in my worldview, and I hope you will be satisfied with my work performed as chief justice.' Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller said Tuesday that the court's process of interpreting and applying the rule of law hasn't changed now that women are the court's majority. 'Because first and foremost, the four women on this court are judges and lawyers,' Keller said. 'And that's what we bring to this job. All seven of us bring that to this job. We all bring our personal experiences and our personal backgrounds.' Kentucky's Democratic governor and the Republican leaders of the state House and Senate spoke about the historic milestones on the state's highest court. Gov. Andy Beshear said the court holds a 'special responsibility' of upholding the law and sometimes defining it — 'and to do so without bias or favor to any person or to any party.' The state's Supreme Court justices are elected in nonpartisan contests and, as a result, their job 'is to move our commonwealth not to the left or to the right but forward for all of our citizens,' said Beshear, who is seen as a potential candidate for president in 2028. 'Our high court justices and the many people who support their important work make up the backbone of our democracy – the rule of law,' the governor said. 'This is the foundation of a functional system of government. One that's designed to serve the people and not merely the powerful.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
City leaders concerned after student killed near bus stop; School board president responds
City leaders and officials are calling for different busing options for students. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dayton Public Schools students use RTA buses and the downtown hub as a transfer station. One woman said she has seen her fair share of violence at the bus hub. 'I mean, take it from me. I was here all last summer with all the shootouts and everything,' Merrie Hembre of Dayton. TRENDING STORIES: 'They ran him over;' 911 call details moments person hit by 2 vehicles in deadly crash Eric Dane reveals ALS diagnosis Over a dozen firearms stolen from local gun store; $10K reward offered in investigation Hembre said she feels safe, but she's aware of the issues with teenagers. 'I don't think there should be more patrolling. I think there should just be more opportunities for teens to go. People should not give up on them, even though they think they're a lost cause and everything,' Hembre said. City and state leaders agree; they want a state amendment that bans students from being transferred to downtown bus stops. This comes a week after an 18-year-old student, Alfred Hale, was killed near the RTA hub downtown. 'We don't have a solution right now. That's why we're pushing this right now, to make sure we do this. We can't continue to put our children in harm's way,' Dayton Mayor Jeff Mims said. DPS Board President Dr. Chrisondra Goodwine said she wishes every student could ride a school bus, but they don't have the funding. Goodwine sent a lengthy statement to News Center 7 that said in part: 'City leaders who are calling on DPS to 'immediately stop' bus transfers—without offering the legal authority, operational capacity, or funding to do so—are not helping. They are shifting the blame without providing solutions.' Goodwine also mentions providing recreation facilities, mentorship programs, and more teen-focused investments. She also added that the district does not control RTA routes or passengers or determine transfer points for students. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
