(WWJ) -- A trailblazing judge who made history as the first Black woman to be elected into the Michigan Court of Appeals has died.
The Court announced on Monday afternoon that Judge Karen Fort Hood passed away on Sunday night.
Before she made history by being elected to the Court of Appeals in 2002, Judge Hood served as a judge in Wayne County Circuit Court and Recorders Court.
Hood, a Detroit native, was also the first Black woman to chair the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.
Appeals Court Chief Judge Christopher Murray says Hood's grace, dignity , and her wonderful laugh and smile were cherished by all, and will never be forgotten.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says she and Hood were Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters, and Hood was never afraid to tell you about yourself and speak truth.
Judge Karen Ford Hood was 68 years old.
