On March 3, 2025, the Church of God in White Plains, NY, hosted the Women in Justice Seminar & Forum in celebration of the UN International Day of Women Judges. The event honored the women in the New York State Unified Court System who have made significant strides toward gender equality in the judiciary, while also raising awareness about the ongoing challenges that women continue to face in the judicial system.
Keynote Speakers and Panel Discussion on Women in Justice
The event featured many distinguished leaders, including Hon. Bianka Perez, Associate Justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, First Department; Hon. Janet Malone, NY State Supreme Court Justice, Ninth Judicial District; Hon. Kathie E. Davidson, Supervising Judge, Dean of the NYS Judicial Institute; Hon. Wanda Negron, Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Bronx County; Hon. Marissa Soto, Supreme Court Justice, Bronx; Hon. Fiordaliza A. Rodriguez, Family Court Judge, Bronx; Hon. Kathy King, Supreme Court Justice, NYC; Hon. Lissette Fernandez, City Court Judge, Peekskill; Hon. Karen Best, City Court Judge, Yonkers; Hon. Verris Shako, City Court Judge, Yonkers; Hon. Sharon Matthie, Family Court Judge, Yonkers; Hon. Abayomi Ajaiyeoba, Civil Court Judge, Brooklyn; Hon. Jessica Brenes, Supreme Court Referee, Bronx; Hon. Lorraine Martinez Ross, Supreme Court Referee, Bronx; and Hon. Eliezer Rodriguez, Civil Court Judge, Bronx.
The event activities included the introduction and gifting of all the judges, keynote speeches by Hon. Kathie E. Davidson and Hon. Bianka Perez, a forum with judges Hon. Janet Malone, Hon. Wanda Negron, and Hon. Marissa Soto discussing their journeys into the judiciary, and a women’s history Bible seminar. The evening concluded with a three-course appreciation dinner and the signing of six MOUs to support the Church of God’s efforts in strengthening their communities.
Inspirational Words from the Judges
Hon. Bianka Perez shared, “If God saw fit to appoint Deborah as a judge in the Old Testament, by serving as judges today, we are continuing to fulfill God’s will by having women judges like us on the bench. History is still being written. We must continue the challenges, support one another, and ensure that the path we have forged is strengthened for those who will follow us.”
Hon. Kathie E. Davidson emphasized, “We must continue these conversations. One of the most powerful things we judges have is the power to convene, the power to bring everyone around the table. That’s not political, that’s how we do our work.”
The event was able to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and Partnerships for the Goals.
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