IN another two weeks former Supreme Court puisne judge Justice Georgiana Fraser will take her place amongst nine other permanent female judges of the island’s Court of Appeal, after a 30-year journey through the legal system which began as a clerk of courts in St Catherine.

On September 1 the sharp-minded legal veteran, who was the epitome of surety as she took the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath at King’s House in St Andrew, attributed her success to the tenacity and faith of the women of her family who believed in the little girl who found reading “difficult”.

“My story did not begin in a courtroom or a law library, it began in the quiet corners of childhood. It was shaped by people, moreso women, who poured their love, wisdom, and discipline into my life. At the top of the list is my beloved grandmother, Mrs Iris Johnson. Though now long gone, she played a pivotal role in my early development,” Fraser said in a moment of rare vulnerability.

According to the woman known for her stern disposition and skilled handling of the law, but for that underpinning a seat in the Court of Appeal, where she has acted on and off for four years prior to her appointment, would have been a pipe dream.

“I was not what you might call a fast learner. In fact, I struggled in my early years at school. The art of reading, which came easily to others, was difficult for me. During that difficult period of my formative years some unkind persons would probably have labelled me a dunce, but Grandma Iris never let that define me. She made me feel seen, capable, and worthy. She convinced me that with enough effort and belief, I could achieve anything I set my mind to,” she said.

With that prodding Fraser sat the then Common Entrance Exam, gaining a place at the Hampton School, as envisioned by her grandmother who passed before she completed her first year. When that passing forced her to migrate to a new parish to reside with her mother, more moulding took place.

“’My mother, Mrs Rita Foster Castelle of blessed memory…was a force to be reckoned with; sharp-witted, no nonsense, with an acerbic tongue that could cut you to the quick. But, she was endlessly encouraging…Mama always encouraged me to reach high, to keep striving, and to go after what others might have thought was beyond my grasp. Mama stood by me through high school and beyond, through marriage, the birth of my two children, and many, many crossroads,” Fraser shared nostalgically.

She, in the meantime, paid homage to the aunts who guided her “through the mysteries and growing pains of girlhood”; her only sibling, now deceased; and her husband Paul Fraser who gave her “the freedom to pursue [her] goals without guilt or hesitation”.

“It was never easy, but he never made me feel like I had chosen ambition over family; quite the opposite, he cheered me on, pushed me higher, and celebrated every milestone as if it was his own. His support has never wavered — not once. He has been my rock — strong, steady, and constant.

“Thank you, Paul, for standing by me through thick and thin, for believing in me when I doubted myself, and for giving me the space to grow while holding our family close. I am endlessly grateful. This moment is yours as much as it is mine,” she said.

Fraser, who from the position of clerk of courts became a prosecutor, then a resident magistrate, before becoming a Supreme Court judge, also paid tribute to the members of the profession who helped guide her.

“Whether through encouragement, tutelage or some other act of kindness, they contributed significantly to my growth and development. Their assistance has been priceless,” Fraser, who was among 10 judges being appointed to higher offices, said.

In the meantime, in speaking on behalf of her other nine colleagues who themselves were sworn in to higher offices — some in acting positions and others permanent posts — she said: “We are mindful of the privilege it is to serve not for ourselves, but for the people who look to the courts of fairness, clarity, and justice. We pledge to continue to serve with the same integrity, independence, and discipline that have always guided us.”

Added Fraser, “This appointment is both humbling, yet weighty. It serves as a reminder that the role of a judge — and particularly that of an appellate judge — is not to wield power but to safeguard fairness, ensure clarity in the law, and uphold the rights of every citizen who looks to the court for redress. It is a call to serve, not ambition but justice. This moment is not just an honour for myself alone, but a responsibility I accept on behalf of the people of Jamaica and in faithful service to the rule of law and the principles that sustain our democracy. In accepting this appointment to the Court of Appeal I pledge to serve Jamaica faithfully, guided by the principles of justice.”

Justice Georgiana Fraser (left) with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen during a ceremony at King’s House.