News  Charlestown Court Celebrates Law Day, Court's Historic Role, and Local Students

The Charlestown Division of the Boston Municipal Court hosted a Law Day Celebration on May 1st during a ceremony which featured remarks from court leaders: Charlestown First Justice Lisa Grant, Boston Municipal Court Chief Justice Tracy Lee Lyons, Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill, and Clerk Magistrate Helen White. The 2024 Law Day theme is "Voices of Democracy." 

Harvard Kent School 6th graders participated in an essay content during which the top three students were awarded prizes. First place winner Linna Mai read her essay, titled  "What Law Means to Me." The second and third place winners are Lorelei Kielbasa and Iyobosa Uwague.

The students were treated to a tour of each department as well as the Charlestown Court Museum, located on the court's second floor. The Museum features artifacts and items that celebrate Honorable George Lewis Ruffin, who in 1883 became the first African-American judge in the United States. Judge Ruffin, who presided over the Charlestown Court, was also the first African-American to graduate from Harvard Law School four years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. In addition to the tour, the Charlestown students were served lunch.
 
"It was a very well received event and we hope to host this celebration annually," said Jeffrey Kyi, BMC-Charlestown Assistant Chief Probation Officer.