ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES

Welcome to the Seventh Judicial District’s Black History Month Portrait Gallery!

 

Every year, during the entire month of February, the 7th Judicial District's Black History Month Committee displays (on the fifth floor of the Hall of Justice) the portraits of African Americans who played a significant role in American history. 

This year, we celebrate those amazing contributions, by recognizing the impact of African American lawyers who were the first to serve as judges at various levels of the judiciary.

For example, this year we recognize the historic service of unheralded judges like Robert Morris (who established the first black law firm in the United States); Jane Bolin (who served as the first black female judge in the country); and Constance Baker Motley (who, after being nominated by President Johnson, became the first black female to serve on the federal bench).

 

Of course, there are other, more well known trailblazing judges like - Supreme Court Justices Thurgood Marshall and Ketanji Brown Jackson, and local justice hero - Rochester City Court Judge Reuben Davis.

 

In recognition of the special place that Judge Davis holds in Seventh Judicial District history, we commissioned a very special portrait of Judge Davis to be included in this year's Black History Month Portrait Gallery. 

Of course, each of these judges is very special - not only to those of us here in the Seventh Judicial District but to all Americans because of the role they played as "the first" at various points in American history. 

However, another reason each of these trailblazers is a part of this year's portrait gallery is because before they were the "first" in their field, they put their clients, the community, and our Constitution first.  

See you there!