Carol Jean Vigil facts for kids

Carol Jean Vigil (born October 24, 1947 – died March 27, 2009) was an important judge from New Mexico. She made history as the first Native American woman to be elected as a state district judge in the United States. This also made her the first female Native American to become a state court judge in New Mexico. Carol Jean Vigil was a proud member of the Pueblo community.

About Carol Jean Vigil

Early Life and Education

Carol Jean Vigil studied at the University of New Mexico. She earned her first degree there. Later, in 1977, she also got her law degree from the same university.

After finishing law school, Vigil became the first Pueblo woman to join the New Mexico state bar. This meant she was officially allowed to work as a lawyer. She soon started working for a group called Indian Pueblo Legal Services Inc.

Vigil later became an Assistant Attorney General. She worked for New Mexico Attorney General Jeff Bingaman. In the mid-1980s, she started her own private law practice. She also served as a lawyer for the Tesuque Pueblo people. Carol Jean Vigil even wrote the first tribal codes for both the Taos Pueblo and the Tesuque Pueblo communities. Tribal codes are like laws for Native American tribes.

Working in the Courts

In 1988, Vigil was hired by the 1st Judicial District of New Mexico. She worked as a hearing officer for child support cases. Her job was to help make sure parents paid money to support their children. She was very good at this work.

In 1994, she was promoted to a special commissioner. She handled cases related to family issues and mental health. Vigil was known for being very effective in her role. In 1995, the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper recognized her. They named her one of the "10 Who Made a Difference" that year.

Becoming a State Judge

Carol Jean Vigil became a New Mexican 1st Judicial District state judge in June 1998. This district covers Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos counties. When she took her oath, she wore a special black judicial robe. It had beautiful beaded Pueblo Indian symbols on the shoulders. These symbols included lightning, clouds, rain, and mountains.

As a judge, she made an important decision about Native American gambling enterprises. She said that state courts could hear cases where people were hurt at these businesses. The Pueblo communities in New Mexico did not agree with her decision.

A lawyer named Bryant Rogers worked with Judge Vigil. He said she was very serious about her work. He also said she was thoughtful and always well prepared.

In 2005, Vigil retired from her job as a district court judge. She retired because of her health, as she had diabetes and other health problems.

Later Life and Passing

Carol Jean Vigil passed away in her sleep on March 27, 2009. She was 61 years old and died in Tesuque, New Mexico. She was survived by her husband, Philip Palmer, whom she had been married to for 31 years. She also left behind her daughter, Sparo Arika Vigil, her mother, Evelyn Vigil, and her brother, Martin Vigil.