Street co-named to honor first female African-American elected judge

230th Street, at the corner of 133rd Avenue, in Laurelton, Queens was co-named last Wednesday in honor of the first female African-American elected judge in Queens.

Dr. Danielle N. Williams – the daughter of the late Patricia Polson Satterfield, a retired justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Queens County – told Caribbean Life on Monday that the street was co-named, in a grand ceremony, as “Justice Patricia P. Satterfield Way.”

“On July 10, 2024, I celebrated the life, leadership and legacy of my mother, Justice Patricia Polson Satterfield,” said Dr. Williams, stating that her mother was “a proud graduate” of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and St. John’s University School of Law, in Jamaica, Queens, where she earned her juris doctorate (law degree).

“My mother was an amazing trailblazer in the Southeast Queens community,” she added. “It was important (that) I cement her legacy, so that future generations know her name.

“Now, when people pass my block, they will look up and see Justice Patricia P. Satterfield Way,” Dr. Williams continued. “And for those that don’t know her, they will know her now. This co-street naming is so important, because I was raised on the same block, five houses down, on the same street since 1980 in Laurelton, NY, which is now the same house and block I live on now, raising my sons.

A poster displays the image of Justice Patricia P. Satterfield. Photo by Andrew Grant/Andrew Grant Photography

“The feeling of joy is so overwhelming to create a legacy that will live on forever for my mother,” she said. “To pass her name every day reminds me of her greatness and the greatness she pulled out of everyone she met, mentored or motivated.”

Dr. Williams said, “The tears of joy streaming down my face allowed me to call her name. All I can say is ‘mom, we did it.’ I want her name to live on, and I want children in the Southeast Queens Community to come by and ask about her, because she exemplified women’s history.”

She described the street co-naming ceremony as “a beautiful event.”

“My wonderful husband, Allen David Williams, Sr. (son-in-Law) was an energetic MC (Master of Ceremonies), while Rev. Eli Watson, III opened the ceremony with a powerful prayer,” she said.

Dr. Danielle N. Williams addresses unveiling ceremony. Photo by Worokya Duncan / Dr. Danielle N. Williams

Dr. Williams said speakers highlighting organizations her mother was involved in, as a leader and a member – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; The Greater Queens Chapter of the Links, Inc.; and The Carats, Inc., among others – “shared messages from the heart, expressing their thanks for my mother’s impact.”

New York City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks Powers, whose mother hails from Jamaica, “was instrumental in getting the Legislature passed for the street co-naming,” Dr. Williams said.

She said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, whose father also hails from Jamaica, and Assemblywoman Alicia Hydman’s staff offered assistance on event day, providing tents, speakers and additional chairs.

“Now, when I walk down the block, I will always see ‘Justice Patricia P. Satterfield Way’”, Dr. Williams said. “My mom’s legacy continues.”

She said her mother, who was born on July 10, 1942, died on Sept. 6, 2023, after “a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loved ones.” She was 81.

In addition to her groundbreaking appointment to the New York Supreme Court, Justice Satterfield was “an avid musician, having studied with world-renowned cellist Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico, prior to completing her Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University,” Dr. Williams said.

After Howard University, she said her mother enrolled in Indiana University School of Music to pursue a master’s degree in Opera, and ultimately completed her J.D. at St. John’s University School of Law in 1977.

Dr. Danielle N. Williams and her husband, Allen David Williams, Sr., hold street co-naming sign while speaking with a reporter. Photo by Andrew Grant/Andrew Grant Photography

In 2022, Justice Satterfield received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her judicial work and her influence on society, Dr. Williams said.

She said her mother established internship and justice programs, championed African-American culture, promoted education, was a leader in her community, and continued to sing as a professional operatic Soprano.

“She shaped countless lives and inspired everyone she met, with her compassion and dedication to humanity,” Dr. Williams said.

She said Justice Satterfield, a native of Christchurch, Virginia, was elected as a judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York in 1990, becoming the first Black female judge elected in Queens County.

Afterwards, she was appointed as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court in 1994, and was elected to that position in 1998, Dr. Williams said.

Prior to entering the field of law, Justice Satterfield pursued her bachelor’s degree at Howard University’s College of Fine Arts; a Master of Music in Voice from Indiana University, School of Music; and focused on a career in music, with special emphasis on operatic performances.

Dr. Williams said her mother “reluctantly relinquished” her position as a junior high school choral director and music teacher at Alva T. Stanford Junior High School in Elmont, New York, to join the legal community.

She said Justice Satterfield, retired from the bench in January 2011 and was “a multi-faceted individual who continuously blended her myriad background experiences.”

Dr. Danielle N. Williams and her husband, Allen David Williams, Sr., and Daphne Kelly display ‘Justice Patricia P. Satterfield Way’ sign. Photo by Worokya Duncan/Dr. Danielle N. Williams

Dr. Williams said her mother also served as a faculty member for Continuing Legal Education programs of St. John’s University School of Law and the Queens County Bar Association; a faculty member of the Practicing Law Institute; chair of the Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee for the Second Department; presenter at seminars for programs for newly-elected judges and justices of the Unified Court System, the Association of Civil Court Judges, annual judicial seminars for judges and justices of the Unified Court System; and chairperson or member of numerous other committees and organizations.

Justice Satterfield’s professional affiliations included the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the City of New York National Association of Women Judges; Judicial Friends of the State of New York; New York State Bar Association; Queens County Bar Association; Queens County Women’s Bar Association; and Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association.

In addition, Justice Satterfield was a member of the Bar of the State of New York, and was admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts, and the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Dr. Williams said Justice Satterfield’s professional and community-based contributions have been recognized by such groups as Hofstra University School of Law, Black Law Students Association; St. John’s University School of Law, BALLSA; US Social Security Administration, Northeast Region, Women’s Project; Queens County Women’s Bar Association; Alpha Kappa Alpha, Epsilon Pi Omega Chapter, Distinguished Member Award; Legal Outreach; St. Alban’s Congregational Church, The Heritage Hall of Fame; Legal Outreach, Inc., Appreciation Award; Samaritan Village, Inc., of which she was a Board Member; and, in 2005, “she was honored” to be awarded an honorary doctorate degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

“To culminate her lifelong achievements, my mother received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2022,” Dr. Williams said.