Granddaughter of a slave becomes a prominent Federal Judge

[usregimechange]

Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit


WASHINGTON — The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to seat Rhode Island Superior Court Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit... She said she hadn’t fully absorbed the historic nature of her new role as the appeals court’s first African-American and second female judge. “I’m in a state of shock right now.”

Thompson’s computer froze as she watched the Senate session in her chambers in the McGrath Judicial Complex in South Kingstown. She got word of her confirmation when her staff came in to congratulate her. “I said, ‘They’re still voting,’  ” Thompson said...

Thompson grew up in the segregated South, the great-granddaughter of a slave and the plantation owner who had bought her at auction. Thompson came to Rhode Island to attend Pembroke College, then the women’s college of Brown University. She graduated from Brown after the two schools merged in 1973 and earned a law degree from Boston University Law School.

Thompson returned to Rhode Island to represent the poor through Rhode Island Legal Services...

http://www.projo.com/news/content/CONFIRM_JUDGE_THOMPSON_03-18-10_BJHQKQP_v9.3b40597.html


What a great lady!


Previous posts

Rhode Island Senators Suggest Circuit Nominee (will make the 1st Circuit 3-3) (Tue Apr-14-09)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8340212

Meet Obama's New US Circuit Court Judicial Nominees: O. Rogeriee Thompson and Denny Chin (Tue Oct-06-09)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6711414

'So far, so good' for RI 1st Circuit appeals court nominee: Senator Whitehouse Chairs hearing (Wed Dec-02-09)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7131093

Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson up for Senate Judiciary vote this Thursday (Tue Dec-15-09)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7229060

Vote on Judge Thompson nomination (1st US Circuit) postponed (Sun Dec-27-09)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7335301

RI judge gets panel's OK for appeals court seat (Sat Jan-23-10)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7549755

GOP loses control of First US Circuit Court of Appeals as US Senate confirms O. Rogeriee Thompson (Thu Mar-18-10)
http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7942433

[Cerridwen]

1. Kicking now before I forget.

And cuz it's busy in here.

:kick:

[usregimechange]

8. Thanks, this gal (um, your honor) deserves a kick imo

[Cerridwen]

9. I did the rec, too.

I just forgot to type it. LOL

My memory is tired.

:D

:hi:

[usregimechange]

10. Be sure to refill your memory to prevent energy loss

:headbang:

[Cerridwen]

14. Done.

Now a new kick.

:kick:

[my2sense]

2. K & R

[DeSwiss]

3. K&R

- Congratulations Judge Thompson!!!!

[upi402]

4. yay!

Sometimes the world spins the way that I'm headed!
:bounce:

[Cha]

5. KickR

[sandnsea]

6. What a great story

It's hard to believe there could still be "firsts" of this nature. I hope the next 8 years breaks down all the remaining barriers.

[usregimechange]

7. Obama is shattering these barriers, very diverse group of folks he is nominating.

[Number23]

11. K&R She sounds fantastic

[Scurrilous]

12. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Shanti Mama]

13. Why do stories like this bring tears to my eyes?

I feel pretty sappy but feel-good news is such a relief from the 24x7 bombardment of crap.
Hurray for Judge Thompson. Hurray for women. Hurray for biggest little state in the union. Hurray for Obama. Hurray for America taking teeny, tiny steps forward.

[zonkers]

15. Not granddaughter. GREAT-grandaughter. Just sayin.

[usregimechange]

16. Hey your right, too late to fix...

[omega minimo]

17. Some good news

:applause:

[newtothegame]

18. Race will cease to be an issue when we stop fawning over it.

We African-Americans can go about our daily lives and be successful without a headline noting our every accomplishment. It's insulting.

[Fire1]

19. K&R n/t

[RedRoses323]

20. Wonderful!!!

:bounce: :bounce: