Judges Making History: Hon. LaRita Cooper-Stokes and Hon. Shelia A. Venable
By Dr. Anne T. Sulton, Esq.
JA Senior International Correspondent
Of the three equal branches of the governmental structure in the USA, – judicial, legislative, and executive – the judicial branch is designed to review the actions of all branches of government. It also resolves a wide variety of civil, criminal, and family disputes based upon the facts before it and the applicable law.
During Women’s History Month 2026, we pause to pay tribute to two of the thousands of women accepting the role of public servant judge with a judicial branch of government.
Public servant work for a judicial branch of government as a judge is hard work, requiring the best of the best honoring the rule of law. Among these honorable public servants are the late Judge LaRita Cooper-Stokes (Mississippi) and recently retired Judge Sheila A. Venable (New Jersey).
Both women are recognized as trailblazers. In 2015, Judge Cooper-Stokes became the first African American female Hinds County Court Judge. In 2021, Judge Venable became the first African American appointed Assignment Judge of Essex Vicinage responsible for overseeing the administration of all the courts therein and nearly 800 employees, including nearly 100 judges. Both women have credited God and strong family support for their remarkable public service careers.
In 1958, Judge Cooper-Stokes was born in Jackson, MS, graduating from Lanier High School, Jackson State University, and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. In 1985, she joined the Mississippi Bar.
Her stellar career included work as a staff attorney for the Department of Human Services, Jackson City Ward 3 Councilwoman, and Senior Judge of the Hinds County Court. While in her first of three elected terms of judicial office, during an exclusive interview, when asked about the most difficult part of her workday, she mentioned it was making decisions in mortgage foreclosure cases.
Judge Cooper-Stokes died in 2023. She is dearly missed by family, friends, trial lawyers, and litigants appearing before her. She always made those coming into her courtroom feel seen and valued.
Judge Venable graduated from California State University-Northridge and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Santa Clara. Her experience working with a law firm in Palo Alto, as a public defender, and as a prosecutor prepared her well for public service as a judge.
Moving east from California to New Jersey was a good move for Judge Venable and beneficial for New Jersey residents. In 1993, Judge Venable was appointed a Municipal Court judge. In 2005, she was appointed Superior Court Judge for Hudson County, New Jersey. In 2021, she began overseeing a complex court system (Essex Vicinage), managing 58 Superior Court judges and 37 Municipal Court judges, and handling annually tens of thousands of cases.
In addition to her judicial responsibilities, Judge Venable is active in her church and community. She is known for her warm smile, compassionate approach, and skillful leadership.
Judge Venable recently retired. On March 5, 2026, nearly 300 judges and lawyers attended her spectacular retirement party – fit for the queen she is. During the festivities, the Essex County Bar Association unveiled the beautiful portrait of her that will adorn a courthouse wall in Newark, NJ.
During Women’s History Month 2026, we celebrate these two outstanding jurists. They are among the best of the best honoring the rule of law, leading by example, and making history along their way.
