Judge Joan Bernard Armstrong, first Black female jurist, dies

18th June 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Ryan Whirty
Contributing Writer

Judge Joan Bernard Armstrong, a trailblazer in the Louisiana judiciary, passed away June 9 in New Orleans at the age of 77.

Judge Armstrong became the first woman to serve in the judiciary in Louisiana when she was elected to the Juvenile Court Bench in 1974, as well as the first African-American woman elected to the bench in the state.

Upon her later election to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in 1984, she became the first woman to serve in that role as well as the first African-American woman to serve as the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal.

When Judge Armstrong retired from the bench in 2011, she had spent a total of 37 years on the bench in the state, the longest tenure as a judge in Louisiana.

“As a young lawyer, Judge Armstrong served as a role model for all African-American lawyers and especially for African-American females,” said Judge Piper Griffin, chair of the Louisiana Judicial Council. “She was the epitome of professionalism. When I became a Judge, I looked to her and others like her for guidance and as a source of inspiration. She was a true woman of God who blended her spirituality with her intelligence and wisdom. We have lost a giant.”

In addition to her service on the bench, Judge Armstrong played other key, influential roles in state judiciary circles, including chair of the Louisiana Conference of Court of Appeal Judges from 2004 to 2005 and also as a member of the Judiciary Budgetary Board. Further, Judge Armstrong held a tenure on the Judicial Ethics Committee, the Judicial Human Resources Committee, and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice.

Judge Armstrong graduated from Xavier University in 1963 and earned her JD from Loyola University in 1967.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of the Honorable Joan Bernard Armstrong,” said Xavier University President Dr. C. Reynold Verret. “As the first African-American woman judge elected in Louisiana, the Honorable Joan Bernard Armstrong remains an example to our students of what faith in God, hard work and service to fellow mankind can accomplish. She was a trailblazer and a living embodiment of our mission to promote the creation of a just and humane society. She will be missed, but her legacy will inspire generations of Xavierites who endeavor to follow the path she lay forth for them.”

Younger generations of the judiciary also praised Judge Armstrong for the influence she had on them.

“As a young law student at the Southern University Law Center, I was blessed to be taught a course in Juvenile Justice by Chief Judge Armstrong,” said Judge John Michael Guidry, of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal. “She was an excellent teacher and jurist, and when I was elected to the judiciary, she gave me great counsel. We have lost a legal giant and a true public servant.”

Judge Armstrong also served as a member of numerous organizations including the Loyola University Board of Trustees from 1984-1990, and the Louisiana Supreme Court Judicial Planning Committee.

According to a Louisiana Judicial Council release, Judge Armstrong received numerous awards and honors, including the Louisiana Judicial Council, National Bar Association – Women Lawyers Distinguished Jurist Award, 2005; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Sigma Chapter, Salute to Exemplary Community Service, 2001; Louis Martinet Legal Society, Ernest N. Morial Judicial Pace-Setter Award, 2000; Louis Martinet Legal Society Distinguished Member of the Louisiana Judiciary, 1996; New Orleans Branch, Louisiana Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Citizen of the Year Award, 1988; National Council of Jewish Women Hannah G. Solomon Award for Outstanding Service, 1986; New Orleans NAACP, Outstanding Community Service Award, 1989; Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Inducted Golden Hall of Fame, 1988; National Bar Association Women Lawyers Distinguished Jurist Award, 1984; Children’s Bureau Alfred E. Clay for Outstanding Service, 1984; Judicial Service Award in Recognition of Distinguished Career, Judges and Staff, Orleans Parish Juvenile Court, 1984; Loyola University A.P. Tureaud Chapter of the Black Law Students Association Outstanding Judicial Service Award, 1983; One of One Hundred Outstanding Woman Leaders Honored by President and Mrs. Carter, White House Reception, 1982; A. Philip Randolph Institute Outstanding Community Service Award, 1980; Ebony Magazine Pioneering Outstanding Black Women Judges, 1978; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. National Honorary Member, Inducted 1975; Southern University Law School Alumni William H. Samuels, Jr. Humanity Award, 1974; New Orleans Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Woman of the Year, 1974; Girl Scouts Distinguished Woman Award; Associated Catholic Charities Volunteer Activist Award; Southern Christian Leadership Conference Rosa Parks Award.

Judge Armstrong was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Armstrong; her parents; one sister and one brother. Survivors include a son, Rev. David Armstrong, and a daughter, Anna Armstrong Alexander (Joshua); two grandchildren; sister Florence Bernard James; nephew Attorney G. Karl Bernard (Cassie); and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services for retired Chief Judge Armstrong were held Saturday, June 16 at St. Mark Fourth Baptist Church, 2130 Perdido Street, Rev. Robert Turner, senior pastor.

This article originally published in the June 18, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.