‘People experience justice:’ First female African-American judge in Alaska judicial history retiring

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The first African-American female Judge appointed to the Alaska Judiciary is retiring this week — Judge Pamela Scott Washington.

Former Governor Sean Parnell appointed Washington to the Anchorage District Court on August 9, 2010, making history in the process. Prior to Washington. Superior Court Judge Larry Card was the first Black Judge in the state.

“I hadn’t thought about being special because I was the first African-American woman. And I got educated by that from the newspaper,” Washington said.

Washington’s career, trailblazing status, and retirement were celebrated at a party on Thursday evening, hosted by the Alaska Black Caucus.

In the span of her 15 years on Alaska’s Court Bench, Washington served as the Presiding Judge Mental Health Court, and Co-Chair of the Alaska Supreme Court Fairness, Diversity, and Equality Commission. Shortly before going into retirement, Washington was sworn in as the newest president of the National Association of Women Judges.

Reflecting back on her time on the bench, and her nearly 40 years in the legal industry, Washington said she never anticipated being a “trailblazer” when she started, but relishes the impact that she made.

“People experience justice, not just… it’s just not just done,” Washington said. “It’s seen, it’s experienced, it’s felt, and I think if my colleagues recognize that it’s the entire… the administration of justice is a whole process.”

“And so sometimes you can just be kind. People might not like your decision, but they’re going to remember how they experienced you.”

Having served for so long, working with judges and lawyers across the country, even serving on an advisory committee of only five American judges to Pope Francis, Washington’s resume is lengthy. Of all that, Washington said the highlight of her career is the community she served, speaking at schools, and leaving an impact outside of the courtroom.

“I think the thing that I’ve learned the most is that being a public servant and having people recognize you in the grocery store, letting them see that you’re just like them,” Washington said. “We’re doing life the same, doing life together. I think that’s how people trust the system better, if we could be more transparent, more open.”

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