Women's History Month: Spotlight on Judge Yvette McGee Brown

Raised by a single mother on the Eastside of Columbus, Ohio, Yvette McGee Brown may not have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But as Proverbs 18:16 (NIV) says, "A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great."

I first met Yvette McGee Brown when she was the speaker at a luncheon sponsored by our sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was so polite, professional and poised; just what you'd expect from a member of AKA. 

Ohio has some amazing Women. One of them is Justice Yvette McGee Brown. Throughout her life, she has celebrated many First experiences:

*She was a First-generation college graduate;

*She was elected the First African-American women to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court; and

*She was the First African-American woman to serve as a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court.

Justice McGee Brown graduated from Ohio University with a degree in journalism/public relations. She would continue her education at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she earned her juris doctor. Justice McGee Brown also received honorary doctorate degrees from Ohio Dominican University, Wilberforce University and Central State University. 

Although Justice McGee Brown could have rested on her laurels, she chose a path of service. She has served as an active community and corporate leader, with the common theme of advocating for children and families. Justice McGee Brown served on the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Ohio University, the OSU Wexner Medical Center and the National Council of the OSU Moritz College of Law. She is the former chair of the United Way of Central Ohio, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and the YWCA Columbus Board of Directors. Justice McGee Brown was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2008.

Yvette McGee Brown is married to Anthony Brown and at the time of this writing, they have three children and two grandchildren.

For more information on Justice Yvette McGee Brown, find books at your local library.