First female Muslim takes the bench

DETROIT — As the first Arab American to sit on the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County, Charlene Mekled Elder knows she plays an important role. Not only does she carry the weight of serious decision making, but she serves as a role model for Middle Eastern women around the globe.

Appointed to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Elder embarks on a new phase in her career at the age of 36 — marked by a balanced commitment to her profession, her family, and her community. Also, she is the first Arab-American female judge in this circuit to speak Arabic fluently.

Elder's press release says she is also the first female Muslim to hold a judicial position in the country.

Judge Elder brings to the bench a solid legal background and a diverse upbringing. Wayne County has the largest concentration of Arab Americans outside the Middle East, roughly 350,000 and Michigan is home to approximately 400,000 citizens of Muslim faith.

Known to many as a high achiever, Judge Elder never opted for the easy road. At the prime age of 22, Elder set out to have a career, a marriage and children. Today, she has all three as a judge, wife to the deputy CEO of Wayne County, Azzam Elder, and mother of four children, Madina 12, Nozmi 10, Yasmine 9, and Adam 7.

When off the bench, she coaches her youngest son’s soccer team and participates in the sporting events of her other three children. She volunteers time for various notable civic organizations including but not limited to the Dearborn Rotary Club, the Girl Scouts of America and the Islamic Center of America.

“In an era where society struggles to raise good kids, and many have to choose between careers and family, or raising a family or getting an education, Judge Elder seems to have found a way to do it all,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

“I have with no exception, ever felt so strongly about a particular person deserving a particular appointment at a particular time for particular reasons as I did for Charlene Elder. Her diverse background will enrich our bench and help other judges expand their understanding of the communities they serve and impact. Judge Elder has a deep presence about her and a peaceful serenity that obviously comes from her faith, and as a devout mother and wife she genuinely embodies all the values that we all hold so dearly,” said Chief Judge Mary Beth Kelly.

Judge Elder has said that the key ingredients for a successful life are strong family support, dedication and sacrifice. “I owe so much to my entire family,” said Elder. “We all sacrifice and feel it is an obligation to support and encourage one another. Everyone helped me. My parents, in-laws, sisters in law, brothers in law, cousins, and of course my husband.”

For several years when her children were younger, Elder would do her legal work on her cases in the evening hours until 3 a.m. Judge Elder is proud to have supported others in her family who have similar success stories. “One of my sisters in-law just had her fifth child and we all helped her finish Pharmacy School last year,” she said. “Education is your salvation. Our children will have no excuse to not get educated.”

Governor Granholm believes in principled candidates who bring strength and diversity to the bench. As the first female Governor of the State of Michigan, Governor Granholm believes in actions to inspire and empower woman all around the world. The appointment of Judge Elder was an easy decision because of all the hard work and yes, it’s also nice to make history.

Investiture

Investiture of Judge Elder with Governor Jeniffer Granholm will be held on April 12, 2006, at 4pm, at the Fordson High School auditorium in Dearborn.

URL: http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=4910