Tributes

Patricia Polson Satterfield Justice Supreme Court of the State of New York July 10, 1942 – September 6, 2023 Justice Patricia Polson Satterfield of the Supreme Court of the State of New York for Queens County died on September 6, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones. She was 81 years old. Justice Satterfield was often referred to as a “Renaissance Woman,” which began at her induction as a Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York becoming the first African American female judge elected in Queens County. As a graduate of Howard University, born and raised in segregated, rural Middlesex County, Virginia, Justice Satterfield dedicated her life to others, both professionally and personally. For several years, she presented the Color of Justice program, a project of the National Association of Women Judges designed to introduce young girls of color to the possibilities of pursuing a law degree and attaining the bench, at St. John’s University School of Law. She served as a faculty member for Continuing Legal Education programs at St. John’s and the Queens County Bar Association. In addition to her groundbreaking appointment to the Court, she was an avid musician, having studied with world-renowned cellist, Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico, prior to completing her Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University. After Howard University, she enrolled in Indiana University School of Music to pursue a Master’s degree in Opera. She ultimately completely her J.D. at St. John University School of Law in 1977. Her professional and community-based contributions have been recognized by Hofstra University School of Law, the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Heritage Hall of Fame and Samaritan Village, Inc., of which she is a Board Member. In May 2022, Justice Patricia Polson Satterfield received the 2022 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The Medal is presented annually to those who have shown an outstanding commitment to serving our nation either professionally, culturally or civically, among other criteria. Justice Satterfield was involved with community-based groups in Middlesex County, Virginia, including the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, the Heritage Committee and the Middle Peninsula African American Genealogical and Historical Society. As chair of the Heritage Committee of Middlesex County, a Committee formed in 2017 as a part of the Cook’s Corner revitalization project, a multi-faceted project centered around the history and life of Cooks Corner, which was a hub of African-American business enterprises in Middlesex County, Justice Satterfield served on the Middlesex County 250 Committee, a group created by the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors to plan Middlesex County’s participation in the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Justice Satterfield established internship and justice programs, championed African American culture, promoted education, was a leader in her community, and continued to sing as a professional operatic Soprano. She shaped countless lives and inspired everyone she met with her compassion and dedication to humanity. Justice Satterfield was a loving wife for 52 years, a caring and motivating mother, a doting grandmother and a devoted friend and colleague. She was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Taylor Satterfield and her parents the late Dr. Grady H. Polson and Thea A. Polson and her sister and best friend Jacqueline Polson Prater. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Danielle N. Satterfield-Williams, her son-in-law Allen David Williams, Sr., and grandchildren f Allen David Williams, Jr., and Aaron Nicholas Williams.

Tributes

Justice Patricia Polson Satterfield

July 10, 1942 - September 6, 2023