Photo by Sharon Bennett Panama's Supreme Court Justice
First woman of African descent to serve in this high position!
When Westerman predicted in 1955 that the problem facing Panama for the remainder of the 20th century would be the color line, he had in mind an ethno-racial problem with a dual character. One side was the upper echelons and leadership of American and Panamanian societies, public life and national identity. The other was the segregation of blacks from the social, communal and intimate cultural life of the mestizo majority. Today, Panama’s resolution of the public side of the color line would have amazed Westerman with the appointment of the Hon. Graciela J. Dixon as Panama’s Supreme Court Justice. Who would have thunk it!
One may ask, “Is she the first black ever to the position?” The answer is no as far as we know. By way of historical background to the question, after Woodrow Byron, charismatic leader of the National Union of Panamanian Negroes defeated Hector Gadpaille for the Rio Abajo Assembly seat in the 70s, he proclaimed that he would become Panama's first black president. This shocked many Panamanians and, of course, overlooked Carlos Mendoza's presidency in 1910. Mendoza, a mulatto, was removed from the presidency, by the Americans nonetheless, because he was tainted with black blood. Based on these facts we give the ‘first‘ to Juan Materno Vasquez, (a mulatto of Congo origins) who had held the position prior to Graciela Dixon. He, Materno Vasquez, must be turning his grave, however, because one of the "illiterates who are incapable of transmitting wisdom" --as he referred to us-- made it to as far as he did.
The Hon. Graciela J. Dixon, Chief Justice of Panama's Supreme Court, is obviously virtuous, intelligent, industrious and by the exercise of every virtue, is esteemed and respected by all. Magistrate Dixon served her community throughout her lifetime in a number of responsible positions. She was every bit a leading citizen of trustworthy judgment and reliable vigorous actions. She was involved in numerous community projects of importance; most notable, in our minds, is when she spearheaded the Plaza de la Cultura Etnia project. She was able to galvanize the support of both our communities in the successful launching and completion of the project.
We are deeply proud of the Magistrate’s accomplishments and we salute her!
On behalf of the AfroPanaVision staff,
Oswald Baptiste
Biography
In addition, she served as technical advisor for the Women's Affair Committee of the Legislature Assembly of Panama, Legal Advisor to the Association of Friends of the Afro-Antillean Museum of Panama, Legal Advisor to the Office of the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare of Panama, Legal Representative for the Victims of the USA Military Force Invasion.
As a result of her dedication and commitment, Magistrate Dixon has received numerous distinctions and accolades. She has been recognized for her support and contribution to the educational, cultural, judicial and social development of the Isthmian community -Elks Order of the World and appointed "Commendable Daughter" by the Community Board of Ancon in recognition of her outstanding and exemplary job of service to their community. As a member of the Law and Political Science Faculty at Panama University, Chief Justice Dixon taught Human Rights Principle of Political Science and Social Law--Interdisciplinary Workshops. She also taught Human Rights at the Latin American University of Science and Technology of the Republic of Panama.
The scope of her exposure abroad includes keynote presentations at numerous national and international conferences such as: The Annual Conference of the Korean Women Judges Association, Seoul Korea, the Transnational Judicial Dialogue: Strengthening Networks and Mechanisms for Judicial Consultation and Cooperation, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA, the 7th International Conference of Chief Justices of the world Lucknow and New Delhi, India. She was an observer in the election of the Organization of American States and the United Nations to Supreme Court of Ecuador
Magistrate Dixon has published articles in international newspapers and magazines as well as monographs of diverse matters such as the "Contribution of Antilleans in the Construction of the Panama Canal," "The Presumption of Innocence and the Application of Preventive Detention," and "Human Rights in Panama." She has also spoken on many subjects including the "Importance of Women in the Future Development of Panama," "The Challenges of the Administration of Justice in Panama," and "Penal Dogma as an Instrument of Defense." Magistrate Dixon is a member of the National Bar Association of Panama, Commission for the Defense of the Profession of Attorneys of the National Bar Association of Women Magistrates and Judges of Panama, International. In addition to her role as Chief Justice, she is President of both the Latin American Federation of Magistrates and the International Association of Women Judges. Prior to her appointment as Magistrate she spent over twenty years as a Litigator.
Magistrate Dixon was born in the Republic of Panama. She attended Abel Bravo High School in the Province of Colon. At the University of Panama, she obtained her degree in Law and later received a post-graduate degree in Human Rights at the Santa Maria La Antigua University, Panama. She perused specialized studies in Judicial Education in Administrative Controls in Barcelona, Spain and subsequently thereafter studied Constitutional Law at the Carlos III University in Madrid, Spain.
The photo above was taken at a recent reception sponsored by the Judicial Friends, an affiliate of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association of New York--held at the Brooklyn Law School's Forchelli Center. (The background design of course is ours.)
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