She’s a trailblazer in every sense of the word!
Justice Pamela Goodwine has once again made history. On April 18, 2025, she was officially sworn in as the first Black woman elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court, BET reports. In a ceremony filled with celebration, reflection, and pride, Goodwine stood as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the unyielding power of dreams.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Justice Goodwine’s journey to the highest court in the state was paved with extraordinary resilience. Spending part of her childhood in foster care before being adopted, she quickly established a pattern of determination, graduating as her high school’s valedictorian. When her adoptive father became ill, Goodwine made the selfless decision to defer her college scholarship to care for him. After his passing, she faced another heartbreaking loss when her mother was tragically killed. At just 24, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, leading to a lengthy and difficult recovery. Through it all, she remained steadfast in her vision for her life.
“I always say I don’t give up on my dreams when life gets hard, I simply work harder to make my dreams come true,” she told the crowd during her address. “If there is one philosophy and action I would like to be known for and for you all to recognize and live by as well, that is it. No matter what life brings your way, keep dreaming, keep working for your goals.”
Justice Goodwine’s story is as much about grit as it is about excellence. She began her career as a legal secretary and court stenographer before earning both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Kentucky. Over the years, she climbed the judicial ranks, first serving as a district judge in 1999, then as a circuit judge in 2003, and later securing a seat on the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 2018. With her historic election to the Supreme Court, she has now served at every level of the judiciary in Kentucky—a first for any woman in the state.
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During the ceremony, her fellow justices spoke to the significance of her leadership. Justice Angela McCormick Bisig emphasized that diversity of experience strengthens the court’s understanding and compassion. Governor Andy Beshear also took the moment to reflect, noting that while Goodwine’s achievement is cause for celebration, it also highlights the broader work still required to achieve full equality in our nation.
With her swearing-in, Justice Pamela Goodwine not only reaches a personal pinnacle but helps shape a more inclusive future for Kentucky’s judicial system. Her legacy stands as a bright reminder that no matter the obstacles, dreams remain within reach for those who dare to keep pushing forward.
Cover photo: Pamela R. Goodwine Becomes First Black Woman Elected to Kentucky Supreme Court/Photo credit: Aren Barnes/Kentucky Lantern