The Honorable Deborah A. Batts: Profile in Courage

Born in Philadelphia on April 13, 1947, Judge Batts earned a. B.A. in government from Radcliffe College in 1969.

Attending Radcliffe undoubtedly had a significant influence on the rest of her life. Radcliffe, associated with Harvard University, was one of the Seven Sisters Colleges, a group of prestigious northeastern liberal arts institutions founded in the nineteenth century to educate women. Graduates of the Seven Sisters differed from women at coeducational schools. Seven Sisters alum were known for their high levels of self-esteem and often pursued diplomas in traditionally male fields. Judge Batts displayed both qualities. Once she completed her studies at Radcliffe, Batts obtained a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1972.  Harvard, while known widely for its excellent education, was not known for its diversity.

In 1984, Batts accepted an offer to join the faculty of Fordham University in New York City as an associate professor. She became the first African American member of the faculty of the Fordham Law School and remained with the university until 1994. In June of 1994, Deborah Batts was sworn in as a Federal District Judge for Manhattan, becoming the nation's first openly lesbian, African-American federal judge.

Judge Batts has been low-key about her sexuality but has not hidden it. A member of the Lesbian and Gay Law Association of Greater New York, she once urged a graduating class at Fordham Law School to enact laws to protect against anti-gay discrimination.

Little is known about Batts' personal life. Divorced with two children, she has refused to discuss much of her life in an attempt to avoid becoming known as the "gay judge." She has described being a lesbian as "definitely an important part" of her life, but has added that it is only one of many important parts of her life: "I am also a very devoted mother, I'm an attorney, a former prosecutor, and I'm an African American."

Judge Batts' achievements have helped to elevate the status of gay men and lesbians, especially since she has earned wide respect for the way in which she performs her job. Still, it is worth noting that she remains the only openly gay person on the federal bench.

A portrait of the judge now hangs at Harvard. It is the first portrait of an African-American woman or an out person to be displayed at the school.