Four Brooklyn judges named officers of NAWJ’s local chapter

February 2, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Hon. Betty J. Williams, Hon. Harriet Thompson, Hon. Kathy J. King and Hon. Joanne D. Quinones were installed as officers and directors of the National Association of Women Judges’ New York chapter. Photos by Rob Abruzzese.

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The New York chapter of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) held its annual meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan on Friday, where it installed four Brooklyn judges as officers and directors including Hon. Kathy King as its newest president.

King heads a group of officers and directors that also includes Hon. Harriet Thompson as the vice president, second department, Hon. Joanne Quinones as the treasurer and Hon. Betty J. Williams as the District 2 director.

“To the members of the nominating committee, thank you for nominating me and giving me the opportunity to serve this organization,” King said after her official swearing in. “To my new officers and my district director, I look forward to working with you all.”

Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman swore in the four Brooklyn judges along with Hon. Renee Minarik, as president-elect; Hon. Arlene Hahn, vice president, first department; Hon. Margaret “Peggy” Walsh, vice president, third department; Hon. Shirley Troutman, vice president, fourth department; and Hon. Marguerite Grays, secretary.

The new members of the board of directors include Hon. Doris Gonzalez, Hon. Rachel Kretser, Hon. E. Jeannette Ogden, Hon. Karen Uplinger and Hon. Laura Visitacion.

“I’m so glad to be here today because I have the greatest respect and love for all of you,” Lippman said before the swearing in ceremony. “This is a great group who do all the right things and care about all of the right things.”

After being sworn in, King joked that she only joined the group for the travel and thanked many of the women in attendance for being influential in her career. She also talked about the importance of the organization and how she wants to continue carrying on its principles as president.

“I have defended judges from all over the country, learned about the court system in different jurisdictions, but most importantly I have learned how NAWJ promotes access to justice for all, especially to those most vulnerable in our society,” King said. “The NAWJ supports fairness and equality in our courts and promotes advancement of women and diversity on the bench. All of which are principles I espouse and am committed to.”