From Theta to the Bench: My Journey Advocating for Children in Montgomery County

I am the administrative judge for Montgomery County Juvenile Court. Through my role with the court, I oversee and participate in the training and swearing in of court appointed special advocates (CASAs) in Montgomery County, OH.

I first learned about National CASA/GAL when I joined Theta at the University of Cincinnati in the early 1990s, which sounds like forever ago now! Being a Theta truly inspired me to be a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). The thought of being able to help change a child’s life impacted me immensely. I was not yet 21, so could not train at that time to be a CASA.

I decided to go to law school at George Washington University. After I graduated and moved back to Ohio, I spent nearly 20 years advocating for youth as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and GAL. I was able to help many children and witnessed positive changes in their lives.

As a GAL, I made recommendations that helped the court decide what was in the best interest of a child. My recommendations ranged from stabilizing housing, parenting time, and school or food security to recommending a change in custody. I saw many areas in our community that could be improved for children and families and worked to change what I could, child by child, case by case.

Those experiences galvanized me to run for judge in 2018. I won that election and was recently reelected to my second six-year term as judge. Working with children and families and improving their lives is the most rewarding and satisfying thing I have done in life, apart from raising my own family. Theta gave me my start, and I encourage all Thetas to consider being a CASA: It is a great way to give back to your community, help children in need, and create lasting friendships.

Do you have a CASA/GAL story to share? Contact us at marketing@kappaalphatheta.org.