Judge Takes Her New Place on Bench in a Historic Moment [Jeb appoints first black judge in Polk]

The Ledger ^ | April 28, 2006 | Jason Geary

[summer]

New Circuit Judge Karla Foreman Wright, left, embraces Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince after Quince administered the oath during an investiture ceremony Thursday at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow.


Karen Destiny Moses, center, and her brother, Damien Foreman Moses, play with flags during Thursday’s investiture ceremony for their great aunt, Karla Foreman Wright. A group of children participated in the ceremony during the Pledge of Allegiance.

BARTOW -- Karla Foreman Wright beamed Thursday as family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers celebrated her pioneering achievements in the local judicial system.

Wright is the first black circuit judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit, which serves Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Her investiture ceremony was held Thursday inside the Polk County Courthouse's stately main courtroom, which was barely big enough to contain the large audience.

Wright, 56, expressed gratitude to all who showed up, saying the importance of her historic appointment did not escape her.

"It is a mantle (that) I embrace with great pride and joy," she said.

In December, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Wright to fill a new circuit judge post created by the 2005 Legislature.

In 2000, Bush appointed Wright as a county judge, making her the first black woman named to the Polk County bench. She was re-elected by a large margin in 2002.

Wright, a 1983 graduate of Northwestern University Law School, has also served as an assistant public defender and an assistant lawyer for Polk County government.

During the ceremony, Wright was surrounded by fellow judges dressed in black robes. She commented on their vital duty to society.

"Equal justice for all is a principle that we judges must give flesh and substance daily," she said.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince administered Wright's oath of office.

Wright was presented with a gavel (which she joked that she wouldn't use on unruly lawyers), Bible and nameplate.
After listening to a singer's rousing rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," the crowd also heard remarks from guest speaker Willie Gary, a prominent, Stuart-based lawyer.

"She is a mover and a shaker," Gary said of Wright. "I guarantee she won't let you down. She gets things done. She refuses to be denied."

He described Wright as a compassionate person who hasn't lost touch with her beginnings and stays connected with her community.

"This is history in the making," Gary said. "I'm just excited, Judge Wright, to be a part of it."

Jason Geary can be reached at 863-533-9079

[summer]

I am so glad Gov Jeb Bush is the governor of this great state. He has appointed so many highly qualified people from all different backgrounds to serve as judges.

Years ago, a FL women's lawyer group gave Gov Bush an award in recognition of his diverse appointements of highly qualified women to the bench. Something these women lawyers of any color could not convince FL's Dem governors to do in the past. Wonder why...

I've written about Gov Bush's history-making judicial appointments before in years past, as this kind of groundbreaking leadership is nothing new for Gov Bush.

I'll post more info on this thread when I have more time.

[summer]

In the meantime: FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY! SOME PEOPLE ARE FREE AT LAST!

[summer]

FYI - For your FL lists. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

And, CONGRATS to new Circuit Judge Karla Foreman Wright!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RexBeach]

Jeb's a good troop, alright.

Why doesn't he run for the Senate? Is it because he's got a meathead lt. govenor?

[Praxeus]

First black this, first black that, blah.. blah..

I'm sick to death of hearing about it. How about they get past the race thing? This should have been touted as an INDIVIDUAL accomplishment, not some group race thing.

These people are still thinking as a RACE. Not good, and it should not be encouraged any more than white pride groups.

[opinionator]

Next time you think about posting, don't.

[Praxeus]

Shove it. I'll post when and where I like.

[LS]

Any chance he will change his mind and run for the Senate? He is really hurting us by not doing this.

[VRWCmember]

Next time you think about posting,

Sounds to me like the next time he thinks about what he posts will be the first time.

[Old_Mil]

I see nothing wrong with his post. Martin Luther King's vision was for a colorblind society. Race merchants - whatever side of the aisle they come from - betray that legacy.

[Praxeus]

Sounds to me like you are an idiot without an original thought. Ibid my comment to your friend.

[VRWCmember]

Like it or not, when someone is the first of his/her race, gender, nationality, or whatever, to achieve something that person will typically be recognized as the first one to do it.

For example, Danika Patrick is the first female NASCAR driver. She is very good and just making it as a NASCAR driver is an accomplishment, but she is the first woman to do it which makes her more of a story. Other female drivers may come along and do better than she has done, but they will not be as celebrated or recognized as she is unless they win the Indianapolis 500. At some point we'll have the first black woman NASCAR driver and that will be recognized as an accomplishment too.

As for the name-calling, someone who interjects an infantile whining rant into a thread like this does not usually come across as the intellectual superior to those who call him on it.

[Praxeus]

What a load..

First mayor..? first.. county commissioner? first dog catcher?

The "first" issue regarding race has been passe for 30 years. It is kept alive by race hustlers and pansy panderers.

There is NOTHING "pioneering" about a circuit judge being black in 2006. When you have a black Secretary of State and other higher positions held by the same race (FOR DECADES NOW), it is ridiculous to trumpet much lesser things as this story as "pioneering".

As for the name-calling, yeah right. Better look at your own comments, chump. I'll give it back everytime.. and the only thing infantile are you shameless panderers that play this pretend game on race issues. You just can't stand the truth.

There is no accomplishment because there were no obstacles vis-a-vis race. This crap needs to stop, or this country is going to be torn apart. And it needs to be called out EVERYTIME.

[poobear]

"First mayor..? first.. county commissioner? first dog catcher?"

Chill Praxeus, I'm the first female white trash from Polk County Florida to make over $50K before 1985 and barefoot ski. How 'bout that? ;D!

[Praxeus]

Lol.

Willie Gary is a high-powered race pimp lawyer and a close personal friend of Jesse Jackson.

Just a little context to show who showed up to celebrate this "accomplishment".

My honest opinion is that for all this race junk to end is that it just has to end. Somewhere it just has to stop.. exit the thought process.

Scab pickers only make a new sore.

[poobear]

Glad to lighten to load.

Regards,

Poobear
White Trash Success Story

[summer]

Well, as usual, I see everyone on FR has the same opinion - NOT!

LOL... :)

[summer]

Re your post #8 - ROTFLMAO!

Hey, let's all give our congrats to this highly qualified new judge, a black woman, as she will inspire lots of students, including little black school girls and boys, to achieve something greater than singing a song about pimps and ho's. I'm fed up with that kind of crap. Songs about pimps and whores. Every black kid in an elementary school can sing you one of those songs it seems -- enough already!

So, as to this OTHER topic: Black women judges -- yes from this voter -- and, yes, to bigger dreams for little kids, including black kids.

[summer]

PS His lt gov is a former teacher, FYI. A "teacher" is NOT the same as a "meathead" -- that's why I was laughing! ROTFLMAO...

AND -- lest I forget -- she's the FIRST FEMALE lt gov this state has ever had! Yes, Gov Bush did THAT, TOO -- made a WOMAN the 2nd in charge here, for the first time in Florida's history!!!

[summer]

Re your post #12 - He's been gov for almost 8 years now -- maybe he wants a break!

[summer]

Here's FL's lt gov, Toni Jennings:



Toni Jennings, 16th Lieutenant Governor of Florida, is the first woman to hold the office. As Lt. Governor of the nation's fourth most populous state, Jennings utilizes her unique knowledge of business and her extensive public-sector experience to support Governor Bush's key initiatives for economic development, quality education and strengthening families.

A native of Orlando, Jennings began her professional career as a public school teacher at Killarney Elementary in Orange County. After two terms as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Jennings was elected to the Florida Senate in 1980 and was re-elected to represent Central Florida for 20 consecutive years. She served as Florida’s only two term State Senate President from 1996 to 2000.  While dedicating more than 24 years to public service, she also successfully ran Jack Jennings & Sons, a family-owned construction business. After 20 years of leading the company as President, she stepped down to become Lt. Governor.

Since taking office in March 2003, Lt. Governor Jennings has been a key figure in shaping the state's agenda for educational excellence and for affordable, accessible healthcare. As co-chair of the Governor's Task Force on Access to Affordable Health Insurance, Jennings helped craft reforms to apply sound principles of quality, competition and technology to increase patient access and modernize Florida's health care market. She also chaired the Universal Pre-kindergarten Education Advisory Council, which worked for five months to develop recommendations for a voluntary, free pre-kindergarten education program for Florida four-year olds. The Florida Legislature passed a bill implementing Voluntary Pre-kindergarten during a special session in 2004.

I really wish she was running for FL gov. Imagine that -- finally, a female GOV in FL!

[summer]

That is an excellent post you wrote, that post #16. And, I, too, was thrilled to read about that NASCAR driver you mentioned. Very exciting when that happens -- people making history.

[summer]

I gotta find that award he won from that women's lawyer group. But for now, here's a thread I made about some other historic judicial appointments from FL's Favorite Gov - CLICK HERE.

[KantianBurke]

"Martin Luther King's vision was for a colorblind society. Race merchants - whatever side of the aisle they come from -betray that legacy."

bump

[I got the rope]

Hay más mexicanos en el candado del Polk. ¡Que lastima!

¿Hay jueces Mexicano en este condado?

Necesitamos a juez que es mexicano ...Jeb es un racista.

/sarcasmo

[mafree]

Hi summer- thanks for the ping. It's good news. Hope all is well with you.

GO JEB!!

[summer]

Yo hablo Espanol, pero yo olvido mucho palabras.

[summer]

HI mafree. Nice to hear from you again! :)

I've got some good news here. I have a lot more good news I'd like to post, but I am just too tired right now. However, keep in touch... :)

[stainlessbanner]

The problem with this article is that it's all about race and little about her accomplishments. I would like to have seen a little more about her credentials or history that qualified her for the position. Perhaps a case she won as a DA, or similar experience.

Conservatives should lead the focus away from identity politics, not play them.