Kentucky’s Supreme Court recently elected its first Black female justice, Pamela Goodwine. Justice Goodwine received nearly 90,000 votes, while her opponent, Erin Izzo, brought in just over 20,000. Goodwine’s election created a female majority among the court’s seven members.
Dr. Bernadette Barton, professor of sociology at Morehead State University, said this election is a note of hope for minority representation in Kentucky.
“It’s historic. And it’s exciting, and it’s empowering for minority group members to see someone in a position of leadership, and in control of making decisions about Kentucky’s wellbeing in this role,” said Barton.
Pamela Goodwine was appointed district judge in Lexington in 1999 and then circuit judge in 2003. In 2018, she was elected to Kentucky’s Court of Appeals, and she was re-elected in 2022. This month, Goodwine was elected to serve on Kentucky’s Supreme Court. Goodwine was the first Black woman to serve in each of these positions.
Barton said it’s important to elect government officials who have experienced oppression and will fight against inequality.
“We want to have folks with lived experience of difference in positions of authority, or we could end up with legislation that reinforces inequality,” said Barton.
Barton defines privilege as a person having unearned advantages because they are born into a majority group. Majority groups include white people, heterosexuals, middle-class people, and men. Barton said these people view their advantages as normal and don’t always recognize when others are experiencing oppression.
Barton stressed the importance of diversity in political positions and said she hopes Goodwine’s election will be a symbol of bellwether change in Kentucky.