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Micheline Rawlins
Born 1951
Citizenship Canada
Education McGill University (BA)
University of Windsor (LLB)
Occupation Lawyer · judge
Years active 1986–1992 (assistant crown attorney)
1992– (judge)

Micheline A. Rawlins was born in 1951. She is a respected lawyer and judge in Ontario, Canada. She made history as the first Black woman to be appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice. This means she was the first Black woman to become a judge in that court.

Micheline Rawlins' Early Life and Career

Micheline Rawlins was born in Montreal, Quebec. She studied at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1974. Later, she went to the University of Windsor and received her Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree in 1978.

After her studies, she became a lawyer in Ontario in 1982. From 1986 to 1992, she worked as an assistant Crown Attorney in Kent County. A Crown Attorney is a lawyer who represents the government in court cases. In 1992, she was appointed as a judge. This means she was chosen to serve on the "bench," which is another way to say she became a judge.

Justice Rawlins has also helped lead important organizations. She served on the board of governors for the University of Windsor. She also volunteered on the boards of groups like the Girl Guides, the Boy Scouts, and the Windsor Urban Alliance.

Helping the Community

Micheline Rawlins has always been active in her community. From 1990 to 1993, she was the president of the Chatham Youth Soccer Association. She is also a trained hockey coach.

She served as the President of the North American Black Historical Museum from 2003 to 2007. She also led the Association of Black Judges of Michigan. These roles show her dedication to history and supporting other judges.

Awards and Recognition

Justice Rawlins has received many awards for her hard work and contributions. Some of these include:

  • The North American Black Historical Museum Community Contribution Award in 1994.
  • The African-Canadian Achievement Award in Law in 1997.
  • The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers Black Judges in Canada Recognition Award in 2000.
  • The Congress of Black Women of Canada Outstanding Contribution to Women, to Law and to Canada Award in 2002.

In 2004, she was named Windsor Woman of the Year. This award recognized her impact in the city of Windsor. She was also mentioned by The Loop as one of 10 amazing Canadian women who deserve to be on a 100-dollar bill. This shows how highly she is regarded in Canada.

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