Dear Editor

Congratulations to District Judge Margo Brodie, Freetownian, who was sworn in on Friday, May 11, as the first Afro- Caribbean born Brooklyn Federal Court Judge to sit in the US District Court.

Margo is the daughter of Ernesta Brodie, also a Freetownian who migrated to the United States several years ago.

She received her Primary School Education at Freetown Primary School and after graduating from this school, she attended Pares Secondary School where she graduated with the Caribbean Examinations Council Certificate (CXC).

She migrated from Antigua to the United States soon after her secondary school graduation to live with her mother in the US.

Margo received her undergraduate degree from Brooklyn’s St Francis College and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

After graduation, she worked as assistant Corporation Counsel in the New York City Law Department‘s Real Estate Litigation Department.

Following a three-year period with the Law Department, Margo Brodie joined the law firm of Carter Ledyard & Milburn, where she handled commercial cases for five years.

After this appointment, she re-entered public service as an assistant US attorney in the Eastern District of New York where she worked on cases involving public corruption, money laundering, narcotics, and gun trafficking.

Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York, sponsored Margo’s nomination and the US Senate voted 86 to two to approve her nomination.

According to Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont who chairs the Senate Committee, Margo Brodie has successfully prosecuted numerous cases during her legal career spanning more than 30 years.

Margo, all Freetownians are overjoyed at your achievement and I confidently assume that all Antiguans and Barbudans are all very, very proud of you.

May our Lord grant you unending wisdom as you labour in this area of his vineyard. Cheers, Margo. We are looking forward to celebrating with you in the not too distant future.