Robin Ransom Becomes First-Ever Black Woman Appointed to Missouri Supreme Court

Judge Robin Ransom has made history as the first Black woman ever named to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Jason Rosenbaum of St. Louis Public Radio reported that on Monday, May 24, Gov. Mike Parson named Appeals Court Judge Ransom as the Show-Me state’s newest Supreme Court justice.

In a press conference in Jefferson City following the announcement, Ransom couldn’t help but reveal her intense appreciation for the appointment. 

“As the daughter of a fireman who worked and lived in a segregated engine house when he worked for the fire department, this is a very happy day for my mom, myself and my entire family,” Random said. “While I may be the first African American woman to be part of this court, I’d like to say I have never lived by a label or by identity that anyone has tried to put upon me. When I look in the mirror, I’ve always been Robin. And I’ve always lived my life to be kind to everyone — and to be the best person that I can be. And I bring those same attributes to being on this court.”

For his part, Governor Parson said selecting Ransom was an easy process for him, having already appointed her to the Missouri Court of Appeals in 2019 based on his familiarity and impression of her court rulings. 

“I think relationships matter,” Parson said. “We had vetted her pretty thoroughly back in ‘19 when I put her on the Appellate Court. I knew of some of her rulings. We knew how she had really handled the position. All of those become factors when you’re picking a Supreme Court judge. It’s a tremendous amount of responsibility to get it right.”

Prior to her 2019 appointment, the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School graduate had worked as a judge in St. Louis, a family court commissioner, a prosecutor and a public defender.

“To make it all the way here just personally, I am still flabbergasted, and I am in shock,” Ransom said. “But when you talk about history, I was raised that I can’t cure all the social ills and injustices that are out there. And this appointment won’t do that. But what this appointment does show is that this governor has the courage to make such an appointment, that he has great vision for this state, and he knows how great this state is and what it can be. And I’m very honored to be a part of that. And I’m very dedicated to showing that I’m worthy of this appointment.”

 

Related: For more recent diversity and inclusion news, click here.

 

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