WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
Top left : Judge Nicole Colbert-Botchway Photo by Westrich
Photography . Bottom left : Nicole , left , with her mentor Frankie Muse Freeman , seated , and Freeman ’ s daughter , Shelbe , at Freeman ’ s 100th birthday celebration in 2016 .
Top right : Nicole and her son , Ismail , have some fun with hats at the Missouri History Museum . Bottom right : Nicole and her biggest advocate , her mother , Betty Colbert , at a community support luncheon .
Services and Family Support Division .
Her quest for judgeship began in 2002 , when her sister asked her what she would do if she could do anything . Nicole disclosed that becoming a judge had always been her dream ; she just never said it out loud . “ Go for it ,” her sister said .
After countless applications and 13 years of chasing the dream , in July 2015 , Missouri Governor Jay Nixon appointed Nicole to the bench . In November 2016 she was retained on the ballot .
“ In my opinion , being a judge is the highest form of public service ,” she said . “ I am thrilled to be in a position that deals in fairness and impartiality .
“ I want to be an inspiration to students to pursue their dreams ; to not give up if they believe they have found their calling – no matter how long it takes .”
In her off time , Nicole likes to “ party with a purpose ,” attending , chairing or participating in events that benefit others in one way or another . Her benevolent efforts focus on strategic planning , stopping violence and providing outlets for youth .
To these ends , she is on the board of Better Family Life , Inc ., as well as the board of governors of the Missouri Bar Association and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St . Louis , and works with law students at SLU and UMSL . She is a member of the Links Organization , Inc .
After working many years in retail , the “ fashion bug ” has stuck with Nicole . Black is her favorite color – and she said it comes in so many shades and styles that it ’ s all she needs . And the robe fits right in . Though she is a fan of high heels , she wears flats these days in order to work toward 10,000 steps a day to stay fit .
She and her husband , Ibrahim , have a 10-year-old son , Ismail .
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