It is an age-old question: is it nature or nurture, genes or environment that determines a person’s character and quality of life? Caroline Edwards-Morrison would likely argue that a child’s homelife is not nearly as powerful as the innate, God-given ability of mankind to triumph, even in the midst of a broken family dynamic.
Caroline Edwards-Morrison of Rochester, NY, is currently serving a 10-year term judgeship on the Monroe County Court bench after a decade of serving in city hall as a municipal court judge. This in itself is inspiring for a black woman who acquired her law degree while raising three young sons. But, it is even more rousing when you discover she was placed in foster care as a toddler, and spent her childhood bouncing between multiple foster and group homes.
As a teen, acting out and attempting to get away from a dysfunctional home environment, Caroline did a stint on probation in the juvenile system for skipping school. The remainder of her teenage youth didn’t fare much better, as she found herself pregnant with her first son at the age of 17.
You would certainly think the environment and lack of a nurturing home life would leave a permanent imprint of defeat on this young woman. Instead, her life journey is an inspirational testimony to the power of nature that imbued Caroline with an inner strength and determination to pursue a life unshackled by the hardships of her past.
Today, Judge Edwards-Morrison stands as a model example of how one woman awakened to her own personal power to overcome years of struggle and much defeat. After working diligently to graduate from law school, she encountered the tough road to climb the legal corporate ladder. However, her inspiring journey truly began when she made history, serving as the first black female prosecutor in a supervisory role within the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
Edwards-Morrison will tell you that much of her success was underpinned by her steadfast commitment to higher education. But, it also took grit, resolve, and maybe some genetic fate to go from teen mother to Juris Doctorate, to prosecutor, and on to win a County judgeship.
Still today, Caroline continues to mentor young people, a passion that first struck her as she worked in a group home for teenage mothers to help pay for graduate school. The Monroe County judge travels regularly throughout the Rochester City School District to share her inspiring story and help guide the next generation into making positive life decisions.
Some say winners are created, but maybe some winners are born. It is likely that the most poignant message Judge Caroline Edwards-Morrison can spread to young people or anyone facing life’s obstacles is never to allow your environment to dictate your character. Instead, stand firm in pursuing your passions and be unwilling to settle for less.
