Roderick L. Ireland facts for kids
Roderick L. Ireland (born December 3, 1944) is a famous American judge. He made history by becoming the first African American Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts. This is the highest court in the state, and a Chief Justice is its top judge.
Governor Deval Patrick chose him for this important job in 2010. After a long and successful career, Justice Ireland retired from the court in 2014.
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Early Life and Schooling
Roderick Ireland was born on December 3, 1944, in Springfield, Massachusetts. His mother, Helen, was an elementary school teacher, and his father, George, was a house painter. He grew up in Springfield and went to public schools there.
For college, he attended Lincoln University, a historically black university. He then went on to study law at some of the top schools in the country, including Columbia Law School and Harvard Law School. He even earned a Ph.D., which is the highest university degree.
A Career in Law and Justice
Before becoming a judge, Roderick Ireland wanted to make sure everyone had access to a lawyer. In 1971, he helped start the Roxbury Defenders Committee. This group provided lawyers for people in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston who couldn't afford one.
Becoming a Judge
In 1977, Governor Michael Dukakis appointed Ireland to be a judge in the Boston Juvenile Court. This court handles cases involving young people. Later, in 1990, he was appointed to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals.
Reaching the State's Highest Court
A major moment in his career came in 1997. Governor William Weld appointed him as an Associate Justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. This made him the first African American to ever serve on this important court.
In 2010, he was promoted to Chief Justice, becoming the leader of the court. This was another historic first. He served as Chief Justice until he retired in 2014.
After retiring from the court, he became a professor at Northeastern University. He teaches students about law and the justice system.
Personal Life
Roderick Ireland is married to Alice Alexander. Together, they have three adult children from their previous marriages: Elizabeth, Michael, and Melanee. He is a member of the Elliot Congregational Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Honors and Recognition
Justice Ireland has been honored for his amazing career and his work in the community.
Places Named for Him
- In 2015, the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, renamed the street where he grew up. It is now called Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland Way.
- In 2017, a courthouse in Hampden County was renamed the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in his honor.
Honorary Degrees
An honorary degree is a special award given by a university to recognize someone's achievements. Justice Ireland has received honorary degrees from several schools, including Excelsior College and the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Books
Justice Ireland wrote a book about the laws for young people in Massachusetts. It is called Massachusetts Juvenile Law.
See also
