Highlighting how essential the role of women judges is in our judicial system and how it reflects the population and societal concerns.

Courts around the world will celebrate the fifth annual International Day of Women Judges on March 10th, recognizing the contributions of women on the bench while highlighting the need for greater gender equality in the judicial system. The United Nations General Assembly designated the day in April 2021. It was first observed globally in 2022 and aims to encourage equal participation of women in judicial systems while strengthening their role in upholding justice and the rule of law.

Andrea Plumlee, presiding judge of Dallas County 330th District Court, said the day emphasizes inclusivity in the court system. “I think it’s a day that highlights how essential the role of women judges is in our judicial system and how it reflects the population and societal concerns,” Plumlee said.

According to Texas Public Radio, about 70% of judges in Dallas County were women in 2022. Dominique Torres Williams, presiding judge of Dallas County Criminal Court No. 4, said Dallas County is fortunate that there are many women who are able to serve in such a critical role in the justice system.

“It is an honor to be able to put on a black robe and to do the work that I do every single day and to be able to be part of such a great community of female judges who really are supportive of one another because we have been through similar struggles, through our law career as well as through our judicial career,” Williams said.

Williams said she believes there are many women voters in the county who believe in women’s power and know that they have strength and intelligence. Preliminary data indicates women made up 61% of Dallas County’s primary turnout last week. Jennifer Balido, presiding judge of Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 1, said the biggest challenge women face in the legal profession is scheduling life around being a woman, a mom, a lawyer and a judge. Balido said this is a great time to reflect and appreciate how far women have come.

“Not too far in the past, women weren’t allowed to bring lawsuits in their own name or sign legal papers,” Balido said. “The way that women have taken on responsibility in the legal and the criminal and civil justice system … it’s just a testament … of how smart women are and how hard women work.”