The NAACP Louisville Branch vehemently denounces the impeachment and removal of the first African American woman elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Official Statement: Louisville Branch NAACP

On Jan. 6, Pamela Goodwine began her service as a justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court, becoming the first Black woman to achieve this position. Photo provided by Goodwine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOUISVILLE, KY — The NAACP Louisville Branch vehemently denounces the politically motivated efforts to impeach and remove the first African American woman elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Justice Pamela R. Goodwine is a trailblazer who has spent her career shattering social and racial glass ceilings. In 2024, she made history as the first African American woman elected to Kentucky’s highest court, winning her seat by an overwhelming margin that reflected the clear will of the people.

Now, less than two years into her historic tenure, the Kentucky House of Representatives has formed a committee to review a petition for her removal. The NAACP views this impeachment effort not as a pursuit of justice, but as an unjustified assault on the character and career of a jurist whose credentials are beyond reproach.

Justice Goodwine’s record of service to the Commonwealth is distinguished by decades of excellence and public trust.

Goodwine was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in October 1994 and began her legal career at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, where she worked until her appointment to the judiciary in 1999. 

Her public service career began with an appointment to the Kentucky District bench in August 1999, making her the first African American woman appointed to the bench in Fayette County. She was subsequently elected to continue serving as a district judge, a role she held until 2003.

In November of 2003, Goodwine was elected as a circuit judge for Fayette County, where she served for 15 years. During her tenure as a circuit judge, she served as Chief Regional Circuit Judge. She presided over Fayette County Specialty Court from 2011 until her election to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in November 2018. Goodwine was re-elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals without opposition in 2022. She was appointed Chief Judge Pro Tem of the Kentucky Court of Appeals in May 2023. 

Goodwine was overwhelmingly elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2024, becoming the first African American woman on the state's highest court after serving at every level of the state's judicial system.

The petition currently under review alleges a conflict of interest by Justice Goodwine in a decision regarding the Jefferson County School Board’s authority. Justice Goodwine has correctly identified these allegations as baseless.

To target a justice over a judicial vote—particularly one who has overcome immense systemic barriers to reach this position—sets a dangerous precedent for judicial independence in Kentucky. It is an affront to the voters who placed their confidence in her experience and integrity.

The NAACP stands firmly with Justice Goodwine. We call upon the Kentucky House of Representatives to dismiss these meritless proceedings and respect the history-making mandate given to Justice Goodwine by the citizens of Kentucky.

We will not remain silent while a lifetime of hard work and historic progress is threatened by partisan maneuvering.