In honor of Women's History Month, The Virginia Black Lifestyle Magazine is amplifying the narratives of dynamic Black women in the Commonwealth of Virginia for all of us to follow, learn from, and celebrate!
Meet Honorable Judge Lorrie Sinclair Taylor:
Judge Lorrie Sinclair Taylor was born the last of seven children in Brooklyn, New York.
Jamaican parents instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to the community. She took those life lessons with her to college, where she excelled both athletically and academically as a member of the Women’s Track Team at George Mason University. She attended law school at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary where she was active in various activities which led to her being named co-recipient (along with her husband, Daryl) of the Thurgood Marshall Award for Distinguished Public Service to the law school community at graduation.
Before being elected to the bench, she enjoyed an almost twenty-four-year legal career which included serving as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for both the City of Virginia Beach and Loudoun County; serving as the Legal Instructor at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy in Ashburn, Virginia; and serving the needs of her clients as a private practice attorney in three Loudoun County law firms.
She has a proven track record of leadership and service to the legal community and the community at-large and has served the Virginia State Bar, the Old Dominion Bar Association, and the Loudoun County Bar Association. She was honored as a Leader in the Law, a Pro Bono Hero, and A Woman of Achievement. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and the Links, Incorporated. Of all of Judge Sinclair Taylor’s accomplishments and honors, she is most proud to be a wife to Daryl and mother to two amazing sons.
In March 2020, Judge Sinclair Taylor was elected as a general district court judge for the 20th Judicial District and began her six-year term on April 1, 2020.
Judge Sinclair Taylor, what are you most known for?
I'm most known for being the 1st Black Judge to be elected in the 20th Judicial District of Virginia!
How would your best friend describe you?
My best friend would describe me as: ambitious, resilient, servant's heart.
What inspires you?
My mother is one of my inspirations. She has overcome many obstacles and challenges to provide opportunities for not only my six siblings and me, but so many other people. If she could do so much with so little, I have to complete the work.
What is your greatest accomplishment? Why?
Becoming a judge has been my greatest accomplishment thus far. My journey was not an easy one. Along my life's journey there were some who placed doubts, obstacles and challenges in my way, but God had a greater plan for my life.
In a perfect world, share one thing you would like to see happen for Black women?
When we are no longer celebrating "firsts" because Black women are sitting at every table and leading every aspect of business, industry, field, etc.
What are five songs on your playlist, that you think other women should add to theirs, and why?
"Why Not Me" - Tasha Page-Lockhart
"Miracles" - Kierra Sheard & Pastor Mike Jr.
"Impossible" - Pastor Mike, Jr.
"Nobody but God" - Tim Bowman & Faith City Music
"Watch The Sun" - PJ Morton & Chronixx
These songs are a reminder that God has always had a purpose and a plan for me and that there is so much more in store on this journey.
If you could go back in time and have a conversation with your younger self; which year would you return to? How old would you be in that year? What would you say to your younger self, to inspire her about her bright future?
I would go back to middle school when I was approximately 13 years old and tell myself to ignore the teacher who said that I would be a teenage statistic. I would remind myself that it does not matter what they call me, but what I answer to!
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