‘Black Girl Magic’: 17 black female judges elected Texas county swear in, make history
In a historic ceremony, 17 black women were sworn in as judges for Texas' most populated county.
The group of women, who have more than 200 years of experience among them according to Houston station KHOU, are believed to be the largest group of black female judges elected at the same time in the history of Harris County, Texas. Harris County, which includes Houston, has a population of more than 4 million.
"Today we usher in a new era of representative government and progressive leadership in Harris County," Harris County Democrats tweeted on New Year's Day.
It’s a brand new day in Harris County! Swearing in of the Newly Elected County Officials and Judges.
Today we usher in a new era of representative government and progressive leadership in Harris County. #ItAllStartsHere pic.twitter.com/oJpjK62X1L— Harris Democrats (@harrisdemocrats) January 1, 2019
The judges were part of a local Democratic campaign running with the slogan "Black Girl Magic Texas" that included 19 women. The two women involved in the campaign who lost their races running for statewide office were already county judges and will keep their seats, according to The New York Times.
Incoming judge Angela Graves-Harrington told KHOU the election was a reflection of Harris County's diversity, which is nearly 20 percent black, according to census data.
“I also wanted to serve as an inspiration for all those people who wondered if they could," Graves-Harrington said. "Yes you can."
Also sworn into the county as a judge on Tuesday was Democrat Lina Hidalgo, a 27-year-old Colombian immigrant.
Follow Ashley May on Twitter: @AshleyMayTweets
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Black Girl Magic’: 17 black female judges elected Texas county swear in, make history
