‘Systemic change is possible;’ Court sees first majority female sitting judges

History has been made in Dayton, and for the first time, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court General Division has more women than men sitting on the bench.

The election of Judge Angelina Jackson in November 2022 created the first majority of female judges. According to a spokesperson, of the eleven sitting judges for the general division, six are women.

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“This is a great development for our court. Judges are not only leaders in the criminal justice system, but leaders in the community,” said Judge Mary Wiseman, Administrative Judge of the General Division in Montgomery County.

“Our court is made up of judges with a diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds. It strengthens the public’s trust and confidence in our legal system when our bench reflects the community that we serve,” said Judge Angelina Jackson on the importance of female representation in both Montgomery County and legal communities.

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Women in the judicial system have been making strides since 1977 when the county’s first-ever female domestic relations judge, Lillian Kern, took the bench. In 1987, Barbara Gorman was the first female general division judge.

“Presently, the General Division is proud that the citizens of Montgomery County have made their voices heard by electing more women to the bench than ever before. It shows that systemic change is possible,” Judge Wiseman stated