Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela R. Goodwine lost both of her parents within a few years of graduating high school. He father died of lung cancer and her mother was shot to death by a family member.
After giving up a college scholarship to help her family in the midst of these losses, Goodwine moved from Youngstown, Ohio, to Lexington to become a court stenographer and later a legal secretary while she attended the University of Kentucky.
In another personal setback, Goodwine became critically ill with Crohn’s, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and after surgeries, doctors said she should avoid stress in her life. She finished her bachelor’s degree and enrolled in law school.
Goodwine — who became Kentucky’s first Black female supreme court justice following her election in November 2024 — recounted her struggles and achievements in a keynote address Saturday morning for the Modernette Civic Club’s 30th African American Heritage Breakfast. More than 350 people attended.
“By sharing my personal story and professional journey, I hope to encourage you to strive to be all that you can be — and to let you know that your circumstances do not define who you are,” Goodwine said.
Addressing a majority Black audience at the Bruce Convention Center, Goodwine spoke about issues of equality familiar to many in the room.
“We need to continue breaking down barriers. We need to continue to define expectations, demonstrating that we can lead with grace and grit despite the current climate,” said Goodwine.
“I want you to always dream big and believe in yourself and never doubt. I want you to work hard in the direction of your dreams — but understand that our democracy is under attack,” she said. “Our ideals are under attack. Civil rights are not just historical struggles, but they are ongoing challenges resulting in ongoing responsibilities, for it is our responsibility as well as that of the courts, the legislature and our communities to ensure that justice is not just a promise but is a reality for us all.”
Goodwine said the judicial system has a “crucial role” in addressing civil rights through “legal protections, court rulings and enforcement mechanisms.”
“Judges are currently under attack — me included — for merely doing our jobs,” she said. “The independence of the judiciary is under attack, creating a crisis for the rule of law. It is important that we all understand that we have three co-equal branches of government, not just one.”
Goodwine has served at every level of the Kentucky judiciary — first as a district court judge, then in circuit court, Kentucky Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. She described challenges through appointments and elections to the bench, including times when her qualifications and electability were questioned.
Most recently, a citizens impeachment petition filed by a former Jefferson County Republican Party chair, alleges Goodwine had a conflict of interest in a education case when the Kentucky Supreme Court reversed a previous ruling to strike down a 2022 law that limited the power of the Jefferson County Board of Education. The petition alleges Goodwine had a conflict of interest because a union for Jefferson County teachers made contributions to a political action committee that ran ads supporting her election.
A response Goodwine’s attorney filed with the Kentucky legislature’s impeachment committee states, “The petition is deficient, meritless, and fails to justify any further impeachment inquiry.” Her attorneys called the petition “political gamesmanship,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. Their response to the petition noted that no party to the case before the Kentucky Supreme Court had moved for Goodwine’s recusal.
In her motivational address to the Hopkinsville audience, Goodwine said, “Together we can rise above any obstacle. We can achieve any goal and make a lasting impact on the world around us. Let us never forget the power of our voices, the strength of our convictions and the impact of our actions.
“… The world is full of possibilities and each one of you has the potential to achieve greatness and make a difference. Your ideas, your passion and your drive have the potential to shape the future in ways you may not yet realize.”
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
