Helen Whitener facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Whitener
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| Justice of the Washington Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office April 24, 2020 |
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| Appointed by | Jay Inslee |
| Preceded by | Charles K. Wiggins |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Grace Helen Whitener
1964/1965 (age 59–60) Trinidad and Tobago |
| Spouse | Lynn Rainey |
| Education | Baruch College (BBA) Seattle University (JD) |
Grace Helen Whitener (born in 1964 or 1965), known as G. Helen Whitener, is an attorney from Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. She serves as a judge on the Washington Supreme Court. Governor Jay Inslee chose her for this important role on April 13, 2020. She took the place of Justice Charles K. Wiggins, who was retiring.
Early Life and Education
Helen Whitener was born and grew up in Trinidad. When she was 16, she moved to the United States to get medical care.
She studied at Baruch College, where she earned a degree in international marketing and trade. Later, she went to Seattle University School of Law and became a lawyer.
Judicial Career
After finishing law school, Helen Whitener worked in several legal jobs. She was a public defender, helping people who could not afford a lawyer. She also worked as a prosecutor, representing the government in court cases. Later, she became a private defense attorney.
For two years, she served as a judge on the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals. This board handles cases about workers' injuries.
From 2015 to 2020, she was a judge on the Pierce County Superior Court. Governor Inslee appointed her to this position. She was also elected to the role without anyone running against her in 2015 and 2016.
On April 13, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee appointed her to the Washington Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the state. She successfully ran for election in 2020 to complete the remaining two years of Justice Wiggins's term. She won with 66% of the votes.
Personal Life and Achievements
Justice Whitener has made history in Washington. She is the first African-American judge in Washington who is also openly gay. She is also the second African-American person to serve on the Washington Supreme Court, following Charles Z. Smith.
She lives with a disability. Justice Whitener is also a co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission. This group works to make the justice system fair for everyone.
Justice Whitener is married to Lynn Rainey. Lynn Rainey also graduated from the Seattle University School of Law. She is an activist who works for the rights of LGBTQ people.
See also
- List of African-American jurists
- List of LGBT jurists in the United States
- List of LGBT state supreme court justices in the United States
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Washington
