The YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee recognized the Honorable Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Davidson County Criminal Court Judge, at its 31st Annual Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA) Awards held January 26 under the theme “United with Purpose.”
The YWCA AWA Awards recognize women who make important contributions to Nashville and Middle Tennessee. These women strive to empower other women, serve as role models, and lead efforts to make Nashville a better place to live.
Judge Dalton believes the YWCA mission directly aligns with her courtroom duties to stand up for the oppressed and work to provide an environment that promotes peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Judge Dalton has served as Criminal Court Judge for the 20th Judicial District since 2017. She was recently reappointed to the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council (DVSCC), where she is serving another four-year term. The Council was created to increase the awareness and understanding of domestic and family violence and its consequences, while striving to reduce the incidence of it within the state. Judge Dalton previously served as a Davidson County General Sessions Judge (2006–2017) and as a Davidson County Assistant District Attorney (1997-2005). It was her assignment to the domestic violence prosecution team at the District Attorney’s Office that lead to her passion for helping women.
“In discovering my purpose, I learned that there was a need greater than just being an attorney and that I had a talent I could utilize to empower others,” said Judge Dalton.
Judge Dalton is a member of numerous civic and legal organizations, including The Nashville (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; The Napier-Lobby Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges.
Some of her previous honors include: Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence Trailblazer (2018), Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence Outstanding State Official Award (2015), Tennessee State University Women of Legend and Merit Award (2007) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Service Leadership Award (2007).
Judge Dalton is a graduate of the Lane College and the University of Toledo College of Law.
About the YWCA: For 125 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has brought together women from all walks of life who share the same passion for inspiring change, the same willpower to take action, and the same aspiration to improve the lives of the women who follow in their footsteps. It’s these similarities that not only gave rise to the individual accomplishments of the Academy for Women of Achievement honorees, but also further our collective momentum toward a future defined by peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Read more.
