ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Proud and happy are words that fail to adequately describe how relatives of Antiguan-born Margo Kitsy Brodie feel about her historic induction as District Judge in the Eastern District of New York, set to take place today in the United States.
The 43-year-old is the first Afro-Caribbean national to be elevated to a position as a Federal Judge in the US.
Her aunt, Medley Brodie and cousin Jason Brodie described her as simple, easy going, hard working and dedicated.
They agreed that those qualities and family support are the driving forces behind Margo Brodie’s achievements.
“We are very elated and glad for her. She was always simple; she studied hard and it has paid off now. We congratulated her and I am very, very glad and proud,” Jason said.
Right after graduating from high school, Margo left Antigua to attend St Francis College in Brooklyn, New York, and she later graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in political science and a minor in history.
She then attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree.
Prior to the latest appointment, Margo was Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in the US Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York.
She also served as chief of the General Crimes Section of the same office and legal advisor on behalf of the United States Department of Justice to several Nigerian prosecution agencies, assisting them in the areas of public corruption, economic and financial fraud and human trafficking.
She worked in several other capacities in the US Attorney’s Office but before that she was a litigation associate in private practice at the Carter, Ledyard & Milburn law firm.
Since 2009, Margo has been an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School where she lectures first year students. She is also a former president of the Association of Black Women Attorneys.
A family prayer celebration will be held at Freetown Methodist Church today in honour of the former villager’s achievements.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
