As Miami prepares to pay homage to one of its formidable legal figures, Vice Chairman Kionne L. McGhee is set to preside over a street-naming ceremony for Judge Melvia Bailey-Green. This Saturday, a section of Southwest 146th Terrace will be rechristened in honor of her trailblazing achievements. The dedication, set amid the green expanse of Ferguson Park, marks a tribute to a career that has steadfastly pushed against the boundaries set before African-American women in law, according to the Miami-Dade County release.
Judge Bailey-Green, who hails from the historic Richmond Heights, didn't just take her education locally; she propelled herself through the ranks, earning a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1978. Her career is a litany of firsts for African-American women in Florida's legal landscape — in 1980, she stepped into the role of the first African-American female Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Then in the judiciary, her climb was no less significant, serving as the first such woman both as a County Judge and later on the Third District Court of Appeal.
The official designation of Judge Melvia Bailey-Green Terrace will take place this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. The honor recognizes Judge Bailey-Green’s significant contributions to the judiciary and the community. With over a thousand opinions authored, she has influenced both legal precedent and the next generation of legal professionals. The ceremony celebrates her lasting impact on the county and the legal field, as detailed by the county's release.
Among her accolades are a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daily Business Review and the Trailblazer Award from the Dade County Bar Association. She is also a founding member of what is now the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association. Her post-judicial work as a mediator, arbitrator, and special master reflects her ongoing commitment to resolving legal disputes and serving the community.
Those interested in attending can make their intentions known by reaching out to [email protected]. For further details, visit the Miami-Dade government's official website.
