Justice Renatha Francis takes the oath of office at her ceremonial investiture in Tallahassee. Former Justice Alan Lawson administered the oath while Francis’ mom, Hyacinth, and sons Matt and Josh, assist with the Bible. Francis is the first Caribbean-American, second Black female, and only the sixth woman to sit on the Florida Supreme Court since statehood in 1845.

Looking out into a sea of colleagues, friends, and family that packed the Florida Supreme Court October 18 for her ceremonial investiture, Justice Renatha Francis said the “big, beautiful crowd” filled her heart.

“I would not be where I am or who I am without each and every one of you,” said Francis, the state’s 92nd justice, who grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, the daughter of a single mother.