Shirley Tolentino facts for kids

Shirley Tolentino (1943–2010) was an amazing judge who made history in New Jersey. She was the first African-American woman to serve on the New Jersey Superior Court. Before that, she was also the first African-American woman appointed to the Jersey City Municipal Court. She even became the main judge there, called the presiding judge. She was a leader for women judges across the country.

Her Early Life and Education

Shirley Tolentino was born and grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. She went to Henry Snyder High School. After high school, she studied Latin at the College of St. Elizabeth. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1965.

Shirley taught Latin and English in high school for a while. But she wanted to do more. She decided to go to law school. She earned her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1971. Later, she got another special law degree in criminal justice from New York University School of Law in 1980.

Her Important Career as a Judge

Shirley Tolentino had a very important career. She broke barriers for women and African Americans in the legal field. She was the first African-American woman to be a judge in the Jersey City Municipal Court. She was also the first to become its presiding judge.

Before becoming a judge, Shirley worked in different legal jobs. She was a legal editor for a company called Prentice-Hall. She also worked for the Veterans Administration. From 1973 to 1976, she was a deputy attorney general. This means she worked for the state's top lawyer.

In 1976, the Mayor of Jersey City, Paul T. Jordan, chose Shirley to be a municipal court judge. This was a big deal because she was the first African-American woman to hold this full-time position in New Jersey. She became the main judge, or presiding judge, in 1981.

Then, in 1984, the Governor of New Jersey, Thomas Kean, nominated her for an even higher court. She became a judge on the New Jersey Superior Court. She worked in different areas of law there, like civil cases, criminal cases, and family cases. She served on this court for 26 years!

Judge Tolentino was also a leader for other judges. She was part of the National Association of Women Judges. She even served as its president from 1996 to 1997.

Awards and Special Honors

Shirley Tolentino received many awards for her hard work and dedication. In 1980, her old college, the College of St. Elizabeth, gave her an honorary degree. In 1981, she received the Whitney Young Award. This award honors people who work for civil rights and equality.

After she passed away, people continued to honor her. In March 2012, a street intersection in Jersey City was named after her. This intersection is near the Hudson County Courthouse, where she worked.

In 2014, a new post office building in Jersey City was also named in her honor. It is called the Shirley A. Tolentino Post Office Building. These honors show how much she meant to her community and the legal world.

See also

• List of African-American jurists
• List of first women lawyers and judges in New Jersey