1st Black Woman Judge OK'd For U.S. Court Of Appeals Ninth Circuit

Jet, August 14, 2000

At a time when the U.S. Senate is accused of blocking Blacks' appointments to major U.S. judicial positions, Capitol Hill's senior legislative body OK'd by a voice vote District Court Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

She will become the first Black woman ever to serve on the court, which covers nine states in the west including California, Nevada and Hawaii. The 48-year-old jurist of Las Vegas, named to the District Court two years ago by President Clinton, was the first Black member of that court and continues in her pioneering role.

Before her elevation to the federal court, Judge Rawlinson worked in Nevada's Clark County district attorney's office for 18 years, most recently as an assistant district attorney.

The Congressional Black Caucus recently has raised charges of racism because of the Senate's foot-dragging on minority and women judicial nominees.