Jane Bolin was a trailblazing African American woman who made history as the first Black female judge in the United States. She was born in 1908 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Bolin attended Wellesley College and then Yale Law School, where she was the only Black student in her graduating class.

In 1939, Bolin was appointed as a judge in the New York City Domestic Relations Court by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. This historic appointment made her the first Black female judge in the United States. Bolin served on the bench for over 40 years, advocating for children and families in the court system.

Throughout her career, Judge Bolin was a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice. She fought against racial discrimination and worked to improve the lives of African Americans in New York City. Bolin retired from the bench in 1979 but continued to be a prominent figure in the legal community until her passing in 2007.

Judge Jane Bolin's legacy as a pioneering Black female judge paved the way for other women of color to enter the legal profession and make their mark in the fight for equality and justice.