During a recent conversation, my friend was lamenting the fact that we can never identify every single Black woman in Philadelphia or in Pennsylvania, for that matter, who is a “first.” Sometimes we may honestly not be aware that a certain woman was the “first,” in her category or career field to achieve something amazing. Other times, it might be in consideration of how much space we have to do a special ad or article. Truth be told–the list of Black women who were “first” at doing something remarkable is longer than many people think. However, when you know that you know someone was a “first” in achievement beyond any doubt, we do need to shout it out whenever we can.
Today’s Women’s History Month Salute is on the Honorable Judge Doris Smith-Ribner (Ret).
Retired Pennsylvania State Representative W. Curtis Thomas had this to say about Judge Doris Smith-Ribner. “Judge Doris Smith-Ribner was the first Black woman who ran for a statewide Judicial seat and won. She came out of Allegheny County originally. We have Judge Carolyn H. Nichols, who currently sits on Pennsylvania’s Superior Court, and Judge Lori Dumas, who now sits on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court. Judge Nichols and Judge Dumas stand on the shoulders of Judge Doris Smith-Ribner, as do a lot of other local African American women Judges. Judge Doris helped to cut a path for all of them.
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Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “Saluting The Honorable Doris Smith-Ribner, Pennsylvania’s First African American Woman to A Win Statewide Judicial Seat”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
