Howard alumna Florida's first African-American female chief justice

Photo: Justice Peggy A. Quince, Florida Supreme Court.

At a heady time when an African American and a woman are serious contenders for the White House, Florida is marking its own milestone. The state Supreme Court is about to have its first African-American female chief justice.

Justice Peggy Quince, known for a quick mind and probing questions on the bench, and an engaging personality off, was elected by her six fellow justices for the rotating, two-year post, the court announced Friday. Her term begins July 1.

"It is an honor and a privilege being a member of the Court and serving with outstanding Florida public servants," Quince said in a written statement. "I thank my colleagues for their trust in me and look forward to serving the people of this state in this new capacity."

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Justice Quince is married to Fred L. Buckine, attorney at law, and they have two daughters, Peggy LaVerne, a graduate of Florida A & M University, and Laura LaVerne, a graduate of the University of Central Florida.

Justice Quince graduated in 1970 from Howard University with a B.S. Degree in Zoology; she received her J.D. Degree from the Catholic University of America in 1975. While a law student she was active in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Black American Law Students Association; she received an award for her work with Catholic's Neighborhood Legal Services Clinic.

In 1999, she received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the Stetson University College of Law. In 2004, she received an honorary doctor of laws degree from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Florida Justice to speak at Bethune Cookman University AKA Celebration

Photo: Honorable Peggy A. Quince, Florida Supreme Court Justice

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince is the scheduled speaker Sunday at Bethune-Cookman University for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Appointed in 1999, Quince is the first black woman to serve on the state's highest court and the third female justice in the court's history. She is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Howard University is also where the sorority was established June 15, 1908.

The Centennial Founders' Day celebration begins at 3 p.m. at the Center for Civic Engagement. Sunday's program is free and open to the public. Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-letter organization established by black college-trained women. The sorority has more than 49,000 active members.

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Justice Peggy A. Quince was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1948. She is married to Fred L. Buckine, attorney at law, and they have two daughters, Peggy LaVerne, a graduate of Florida A & M University, and Laura LaVerne, a graduate of the University of Central Florida. Justice Quince graduated in 1970 from Howard University with a B.S. Degree in Zoology; she received her J.D. Degree from the Catholic University of America in 1975.

Continue reading bio: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/justices/quince.shtml