Black woman to serve as Supreme Court of Virginia's Chief Justice for first time ever

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Black woman will serve as the Supreme Court of Virginia's Chief Justice for the first time ever following a unanimous vote.

The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia unanimously elected Justice Cleo E. Powell as the court's Chief Justice-elect, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the Virginia State Bar.

Upon assuming office, she will become the first Black woman to ever serve as Chief Justice in the history of the Supreme Court of Virginia, per the release.

Powell has been a Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia since she was elected by the General Assembly in 2011.

Prior to holding that position, she served as a judge within the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the 12th Judicial Circuit Court and the Chesterfield General District Court.

According