Georgia's First Latina Judge Seeks to Be a Bridge Between Two Cultures

Marcelo Wheelock Atlanta (GA), 15 Mar Colombian Ana María Martinez made history by becoming the first Hispanic judge in a state court in Georgia and now wants to serve as a bridge for the state's Latino community, whose population has grown significantly in the last decade, to more than one million. “I think it's very important to be a voice to teach the rest of the community a lot of things about Latinos they don't know,” the magistrate, who was appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, told Efe to fill the seat vacated by Puerto Rican Dax Lopez in State Court in DeKalb County. For the judge originally from Manizales (Colombia), there are many aspects of the idiosyncrasy of Hispanics that are still unknown in this country and that some might misinterpret and view them in a negative way. “Only education will lead to other judges being able to see these things the way they are. For example, in many of our communities they don't see the eye out of respect and here in the United States that can be seen as disrespectful,” Martinez said. The magistrate, who came to the United States in 1995, when she was just a child, believes that many prejudices can be broken just by showing those cultural differences that exist with Latinos. “I am in a very unique situation and I feel almost like an interpreter, not only of languages but of culture, because I consider myself an American, because I grew up in the United States, but I still have a very deep understanding of Latin culture and I love being in the position that I can help both cultures,” Martinez said. Georgia's Hispanic community grew by more than 30% in the last decade and represents about 10% of the state's population, equivalent to 1.1 million people, according to 2020 Census data. In the 2020 general election, Latinos were part of a coalition of minority groups that showed their political muscle in close votes that gave Joe Biden and the Democrats victory in this traditionally republican stronghold state. A JUDGE WHO OPENS DOORS Martinez's vocation to “open doors” to other Latinos began seven years ago, when he created the Georgia Latino Law Foundation, precisely with that mission of inspiring young people that “we can.” “Since 2015, when I started the Georgia Latino Law Foundation, my purpose has largely been to open that door and increase the number of Hispanics in Georgia's courts,” said the mother of two little girls. There are currently only two Hispanic judges in Georgia's state courts, something that does not reflect that significant population growth, said the first Latino woman magistrate in that state. “Being able to be in this position gives me the opportunity to show law students that we can, that they can do it too,” added the Colombian judge. Martinez, a law graduate from the University of Georgia, was sworn in on January 18 to fill the position left by her colleague Dax López, with whom she worked for several years and whom she considers her mentor. The judge replaced precisely who was Georgia's second Latino state judge, after Antonio DelCampo. The Colombian, who will be in office until at least 2024, when she is due to compete for the position as a candidate, says that her passion for law was inherited from her family and later López prompted her to become a judge. “I always dreamed of being a lawyer because my grandfather was a lawyer and he cultivated a great love for justice for me since I was very young, but I never thought about being a judge until I started working in court and Dax Lopez sowed the seeds of being a judge,” Martinez said. The Colombian said she was honored to serve as a state magistrate and to represent Latinos “at a level where I can show that we are capable, intelligent people and that we deserve to be in positions like these.” CHIEF mgw/ims (photo)