The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are constently making NEWS with their innovative service projects, community/civic partnerships, and labors of love. Click on the links below to read articles hosted on our International website. To learn more about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., visit our International homepage at http://www.aka1908.com.
First black federal judge in Oklahoma has heard final case.
Nov. 29, 2018
Epsilon Omega Graduate Chapter
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U.S District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange, also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, didn't want to be known as a good, black judge.
"My race will not determine my decisions," the Oklahoma City native told U.S. senators at her 1994 confirmation hearing. "I don't want to be known as a good black judge. I want to be respected as a good, fair judge."
Twenty-four years later, the first black federal judge in Oklahoma and the five other states in the 10th Circuit has presided over her last case.
She leaves the bench at the Oklahoma City federal courthouse with the respect she wanted — both for her historic public service and for her good nature.
Federal prosecutor Robert J. Troester said she embodied professionalism, kindness and a devotion to public service throughout her illustrious career.
"Although litigation in federal court can be stressful, she had a warmth in dealing with lawyers and the parties that made the process more humane and constructive," the first assistant U.S. attorney said.
A Democrat, Miles-LaGrange was the first black woman elected to the Oklahoma Senate and the first black woman in the nation to serve as a U.S. attorney.
In law school in Washington, D.C., she interned for U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert. As a young lawyer, she worked for the U.S. Justice Department prosecuting Nazi war criminals. Later, she became an Oklahoma County assistant district attorney and prosecuted sex offenders.
