Born: 1961
Victoria Kolakowski (born August 29, 1961) is an American lawyer who broke through barriers and made history as the first openly transgender person to serve as a trial court judge of general jurisdiction in the United States and the first to serve as any type of judge in California. Her groundbreaking achievements have not only shattered glass ceilings but have also paved the way for inclusivity and equality within the justice system.
Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Victoria Kolakowski is the daughter of Martin and June Kolakowski. She attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City, where she developed a passion for learning. As the first person in her family to attend college, Kolakowski graduated from New College of Florida in Sarasota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Natural Sciences in 1982.
Not content with just one degree, Kolakowski pursued further education and obtained a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University in 1987. She then went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Orleans in 1990. However, her true calling lay in the field of law, and she pursued her Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1989. It is worth noting that Kolakowski began her transition during her last semester of law school, becoming one of the first openly transgender law students in the country.
Despite facing discrimination, Kolakowski persevered and underwent gender affirmation surgery in 1992. She later had to sue to take the bar exam in Louisiana after coming out as transgender, demonstrating her determination to fight for equality within the legal profession. In 1997, Kolakowski received a Master of Divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, further showcasing her diverse range of academic interests and accomplishments.
Kolakowski’s career has been marked by a commitment to public service and advocacy for marginalized communities. Before her groundbreaking election as a judge, she served as an administrative law judge with the California Public Utilities Commission for four years. During this time, she also co-chaired the Bay Area Transgender Law Association from 1996 to 2000, using her legal expertise to fight for the rights of transgender individuals. In 2015, Kolakowski made history yet again as the first transgender person to serve as the president of the International Association of LGBT Judges, a testament to her leadership and dedication to uphold equality and justice.
In recognition of her groundbreaking achievements and commitment to social justice, Victoria Kolakowski has received numerous honors and awards throughout her career. In 2011, she was bestowed with the Equality and Justice Award by Equality California and the Susan B. Anthony Award by the National Women’s Political Caucus – Alameda North. In 2010, Kolakowski was recognized with the Unity Award by the Minority Bar Coalition. Her tireless work as an advocate for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights was honored in 1995 when she was named the Outstanding Woman of Berkeley by the City of Berkeley’s Commission on the Status of Women. Additionally, she was honored as the Woman of the Year by the East Bay Lesbian/Gay Democratic Club in 1994 and was named an individual community grand marshal for San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride.
Through her trailblazing career as a judge, Victoria Kolakowski has become a symbol of progress and inclusion. Her accomplishments serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations, proving that barriers can be broken and that the pursuit of justice knows no bounds. Victoria Kolakowski’s impact on society and her role in women’s history cannot be overstated, as she has championed the rights of the marginalized and paved the way for a more equitable future.