the vestry of St . John ’ s Episcopal Church and the Charleston Junior League , a leader in the West Virginia Friendship Force and a board member for the West Virginia Dance Theatre and Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council .
In 1988 , Workman was elected to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals , becoming the first woman to win a statewide election in West Virginia . She has since served as chief justice five times , where she fostered a close working relationship between the court system and domestic violence programs , visiting many shelters to learn how the court system could be more effective in addressing domestic violence .
She has had the opportunity to create and oversee several initiatives in her administrative role to improve the court ’ s system . She formed the Broadwater Committee , now called the Court Improvement Committee , which made reforms in the court system ’ s response to children ’ s issues and spearheaded the development of rules governing child abuse and neglect cases . In her tenures as chief justice , Workman created the Commission on the Future of the Judiciary , Committee on Gender Fairness in the Courts , Fatality Review Team and Juvenile Justice Commission .
“ These projects were aimed at making the court system more effective and responsive in the areas of abused and neglected children , juvenile law , domestic violence and gender fairness ,” she says . “ Serving
as a judge for 31 years , this has been my life ’ s work . It has been an amazing opportunity to shape the law in West Virginia and create administrative initiatives that improve the judicial system , especially for children .”
In 2018 , when several justices fell under scrutiny for overspending and lack of oversight , Workman relied on her spotless ethical record and strong body of work to fight for her position . Still , she had to go all the way to the U . S . Supreme Court to be exonerated . Her leadership helped hold the court system together and restore respect for the judicial system .
Workman ’ s extensive service to the Mountain State is illustrated by her many commendations . She is a permanent member of the American Law Institute , an invitation that is extended only to those considered outstanding legal scholars . She holds honorary degrees from the University of Charleston , West Virginia State University and Shepherd University and has been the recipient of the Susan B . Anthony Award , West Virginia Florence Crittenton Award , YWCA Outstanding Women of Achievement Award , West Virginia American Civil Liberties Union ’ s Defending Democracy Award and West Virginia Citizens Action Group Award for Outstanding Public Service . She is a fellow of The West Virginia Bar Foundation , a West Virginia Civil Rights Day honoree and has been named the West Virginia
Italian Festival Non-Italian Woman of the Year .
“ I am proud to have played a role in the development of a court system more responsive to people in need , especially children , juveniles and victims of domestic violence , and one that provides everyone with fair and equal treatment ,” she says .
Among her lifelong works of service , Workman established an endowment at the WVU College of Law to benefit the school ’ s children and family law clinic . After she retires at the end of this year , she plans to create living and ongoing memorials to two of her children who tragically passed away .
“ I poured my heart and soul into being a mother , and losing my children has cast such a pall over my life ,” she says . “ Remembering them by finding ways to help others is now my only real purpose in life — that and spending a lot more time with my two granddaughters .” •
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