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Sheila Abdus-Salaam
Sheila Abdus-Salaam.jpg
Abdus-Salaam speaking at Barnard College
Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
In office
May 6, 2013 – April 12, 2017
Appointed by Andrew Cuomo
Preceded by Theodore Jones
Succeeded by Paul G. Feinman
Personal details
Born
Sheila Turner

(1952-03-14)March 14, 1952
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died April 12, 2017(2017-04-12) (aged 65)
New York City, U.S.
Alma mater Barnard College
Columbia Law School

Sheila Abdus-Salaam (born Turner; March 14, 1952 – April 12, 2017) was an important American lawyer and judge. In 2013, she made history when she was chosen to be a judge on the New York Court of Appeals. This is the highest court in New York State.

She was the first African-American woman to serve as a judge on this very important court. Before this, she had worked as a judge in other courts in New York City.

Sheila's Early Life and School Days

Sheila Turner was born in Washington, D.C. on March 14, 1952. She grew up in a family with six brothers and sisters. Her family worked hard, and she went to public schools in Washington, D.C. She finished Eastern High School in 1970.

As a child, Sheila learned something very interesting about her family. She found out that her great-grandfather had been a slave in Virginia. This part of her family history was very meaningful to her.

Sheila went to Barnard College and earned her first degree in 1974. Then, she studied law at Columbia Law School, graduating in 1977. A famous classmate of hers at Columbia was Eric Holder, who later became the top lawyer for the United States government.

Sheila's Journey as a Lawyer and Judge

When Sheila got married for the first time, she took her husband's last name, Abdus-Salaam. She kept this name throughout her entire career as a lawyer and judge.

Before she became a judge, Sheila worked as a lawyer helping people in Brooklyn. She also worked for the New York State government, helping with civil rights and real estate issues.

Becoming a Judge in New York

Sheila Abdus-Salaam started her journey as a judge in 1992. She served on the New York City Civil Court for a short time. In 1993, she was elected to be a justice on the New York Supreme Court. She worked there for many years, until 2009.

In 2009, she was chosen by Governor David Paterson to serve on a higher court called the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, First Judicial Department. She served as a judge there until 2013.

Joining New York's Highest Court

On April 5, 2013, a judge on the New York Court of Appeals passed away. This created an open spot on New York's highest court. Andrew Cuomo, who was the Governor at the time, nominated Sheila Abdus-Salaam to fill this important position.

The New York State Senate, which is like the state's parliament, approved her nomination without anyone voting against her. This happened on May 6, 2013. With this, she became the first African-American woman to serve as a judge on the New York Court of Appeals.

Sheila Abdus-Salaam was known for her fair and thoughtful decisions. She was seen as a judge who supported liberal ideas. In 2016, she wrote an important decision for the court. This decision helped make sure that people who had raised a child together could seek custody or visitation rights, even if they were not the biological parents.

Sheila's Personal Life

Sheila Abdus-Salaam was married four times. Her second husband, James Hatcher, was the son of Andrew Hatcher, who worked for President John F. Kennedy. Her fourth husband was Gregory A. Jacobs, an Episcopal priest, whom she married in 2016.

There were some different reports about Sheila Abdus-Salaam's religion. Many people thought she was the first Muslim judge on the New York Court of Appeals. However, after she passed away, a spokesperson for the court said that she had never converted to Islam. She had simply kept the last name of her first husband. Still, some news reports continued to describe her as the first Muslim woman to serve as a U.S. judge.

Sheila's Passing

Sheila Abdus-Salaam passed away in Manhattan on April 12, 2017.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sheila Abdus-Salaam para niños

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