Vicky Kolakowski has been sworn in as a Superior Court Judge for Alameda County. Kolalowski’s campaign and election is historic: she is the nation’s first openly transgender trial court judge. The final election count revealed that she won by 9,535 votes, 50.98% to Alameda County Deputy District Attorney John Creighton’s 47.98%. Most race watchers believe Kolakowski won based upon her merits and experience. She has practiced law for 21 years and served as an administrative law judge with the California Public Utilities Commission for the last four years.
Oakland North reported that Kolakowski received sustained applause in Oakland’s Asian Cultural Center during a special session of the California Superior Court.
Shannon Minter, the transgender Legal Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights told Oakland North, “It’s a very powerful and deeply healing experience. It makes us feel not just that we’re entitled to equality that we also have something important to offer and to contribute.”
Kolakowski’s heart-warming acceptance speech projected hope and inspiration.
“Much has been made in the press, and this evening, about the historic nature of this event, and I do not wish to understate its significance. There would not be such attention to this evening if we weren’t making history. To this very day, if you read comments on the Internet about my election, you’ll find a few misguided people who say that I am unfit for this great responsibility because I am transgender.
“However, to me the real news of my being here tonight is not that a transgender person was elected as judge, but that it was never an issue in the campaign. My opponents ran honorable and respectful campaigns, and a majority of the voters of this county reviewed my qualifications and character and selected me for this office.”
Kolakowski finished her speech acknowledging Rabbi Hillel and how his thoughts inspired her, “My success has been a gift that I believe is meant to be shared for the benefit of others. I never forget the words of the wise Rabbi Hillel: ‘If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?’ These thoughts inspired me to seek this office.”
Cynthia Laird, Kolakowski’s spouse and news editor at the Bay Area Reporter,participated in the enrollment ceremony before the actual induction. The couple, who met in 1994, married first in 2004. They legally married in 2008 at Oakland City Hall with former mayor Ron Dellums officiating.
