First Black Female Judges for Florida 7th Circuit The Honorable Joan Anthony The Honorable Alicia Washington
A formal investiture and recognition service was held for Judge Joan Anthony and Judge Alicia Washinton this February and it too was Black History . Both judges have been presiding over cases for 14 months , but their investiture was delayed due to the pandemic . The ceremony was at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach , Florida , where Judge Anthony is a graduated .
Both judges preside over Unified Family Court Divisions ; Judge Anthony in St . Augustine , Florida and Judge Washington in Palatka , Florida , becoming the first Black judge in Putnam County and the first Black judge in St . Johns County . These judges will oversee cases that include felonies , family law and civil disputes involving substantial amounts of money .
Before adorning their robes , Judge Anthony and Judge Washington were presented bibles , gavels and nameplates as many family , friends , judges and fellow attorneys looked on . In their speeches , both spoke of their parents ’ humble beginnings , courage and perseverance and how those qualities were passed on to them .
Photos by John Reeves , Daytona Beach