Senate Resolution 5

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE JUDICIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LEGACY OF THE HONORABLE JUDGE DOROTHY WINSTON COLOM, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN JUDGE IN MISSISSIPPI'S 14TH CHANCERY DISTRICT, AND EXTENDING THE BEST WISHES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the judicial career and legacy of a Mississippi jurist with enormous civic energy; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Judge Dorothy Winston Colom was born in Richmond, Virginia, on November 25, 1952, to Warren and Drucilla Winston. She, along with her two younger sisters, Avis and Drucilla, as well as her older brother, Warren 'Chip' Winston II, were raised in a loving home and attended Bethel Baptist Church. Her mother was an Educator with the Richmond Public School system and her father was a World War II Veteran and an officer with the United States Postal Service. Throughout her upbringing, she learned of the tribulations and struggles of her direct descendants and of her community at large. But more importantly, she learned of the triumphs and the passing of the baton: the effort of generations of African Americans to improve their station in life to the greatest extent possible and passing that wisdom and resources to the next generation with the foundation and support of the prior; and

WHEREAS, Judge Colom attended Roanoke College in the fall of 1970 to determine her best path forward toward making a contribution. She excelled at Roanoke and studied the gains made by African Americans using the legal system. Upon graduation, she decided to pursue a legal career to continue her family's legacy of service while also contributing to the legal gains won by prior generations of lawyers in the efforts toward a just and fair legal system. She decided to take the baton and run the path of law and justice; and

WHEREAS, Judge Colom completed her Juris Doctorate from Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1978. During her first year of law school, while studying in the school library, she was approached by a surprised third-year student, curious to know the young woman studying dutifully on a Saturday night. This lawyer, Wilbur O. Colom, would become her husband and professional partner of Colom and Colom Law Firm. The strength of the bond forged between the couple can be illuminated throughout their legal career; and

WHEREAS, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (NMRLS) hired Dorothy as a Staff Attorney in 1979, which began her legal career. She defined her style of running from the start: service for the disadvantaged. She took her experience with the NMRLS and joined her husband in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1980 to work as a partner for Colom and Colom Law Firm for 14 years. Together, the firm won many historic cases in the area, including the University of Mississippi School for Women Vs. Hogan in 1982, the same year her twins, Andrew and Scott Colom, were born. Dorothy was also a proud stepmother to Niani Colom Omotesa; and

WHEREAS, we join the Mississippi legal community and the citizens of the Columbus area in honoring the contributions of an attorney who has brought pride to the legal profession in Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the judicial contributions and legacy of the Honorable Judge Dorothy Winston Colom, the first African American Judge in Mississippi's 14th Chancery District, and extend the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Judge Colom and her family, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.