Judge Olds knows political winds may not be so favorable

By Christy Barritt

Correspondent

Eileen Olds remembers being elected president of the Student Council Association at Indian River Middle School. She was the first black to hold the position.

However, she never got to serve.

"Then, there were very few minorities," Olds said. "Even though I got elected, I never got to serve because the next year, they completely vacated the SCA. It was because I was black. No one ever really explained it to me. I think as I got older, I got a little more clarity about that."

Olds' perseverance and tenacity in the face of adversity has continued throughout her life. After graduating from Indian River High in 1975 with honors, Olds attended the University of Virginia only two years after the school opened to women. At the College of William and Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law, she was one of only four blacks in her class.

She began her legal career in 1982 as a private practitioner, specializing in criminal defense and domestic relations law.

Today at age 50, Olds is a judge for the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, a position she has held for almost 13 years, four of which she served as chief judge. She was the first black and female in the city to be appointed as judge, and she's currently the only woman jurist in Chesapeake.

In September, she earned national honors in her profession when she was sworn in as president of the American Judges Association. She is the first Virginian to hold the title.

"I know I've been chosen to do this," Olds said. "It's one of the most amazing things that's ever happened to me. Every time I do something, it's bigger and better than me as the person. When I look back, I really think that we're chosen to do certain things. We get the desire to do it, but it's already decided."

Olds' twin sister, Francine, said Eileen has always been a leader.

"My mother will tell you that from the day she laid eyes on us, Eileen had that look like, 'What are you doing? What do you have to say?' She's always been animated, always been a leader," Francine said. "Eileen can meet a stranger and she wants to orchestrate how they can be better and give them a push as well."

Francine Olds, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Virginia Beach, said she hears people on both sides of a court case speak highly of her sister.

"They'll say, 'I went to court and she was so fair, so kind,' " Francine said. "I've even had people say to me, 'I was on the other side, but tell your sister that I appreciate that she did the right thing.' I never hear anything but good, and that's a good feeling, especially in that field. "

As president of the national judges group, Olds is implementing a program called Tell It to a Judge. The program will give people a chance to share their opinions with judges through forums for stakeholders in the justice system - defendants, litigants, probation officers and social service workers. Her goal is to improve public confidence in the court.

"It's designed to be an exchange between those who are part of the justice system," Olds said. "Oftentimes people don't understand what really went on but what they think went on. There's a big difference between procedural fairness and what people perceive as fair. What I'm hoping is that when we have these dialogues, not only will the community understand what goes on in the courts, but we as judges will understand how we're perceived."

Olds is experiencing that firsthand on a different level. Her next professional promotion rests with politicians in Richmond.

She has been mentioned as a front-runner for one of two circuit court judge openings in Chesapeake, but the political winds haven't been favorable during the current General Assembly session.

Del. Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake, whom Olds ran against 20 years ago for House of Delegates, supports her nomination to the higher court. He's disappointed by the struggle to put her name through.

"Why is it that up here in Richmond that when female judges come up, the General Assemblymen have a fit?" Spruill said. "They have a problem with female judges. I'm going to try to hold on until the last minute. Judge Olds would make a fine circuit court judge."

Paul Gillis, former president of the Virginia NAACP, agrees.

"I'm just sorry she's having a problem convincing the General Assembly members that she should move up to the circuit court," Gillis said. "Politics are strange. She's been assassinated by a couple of the black female senators. They're the ones who are holding her up: Louise Lucas and Yvonne Miller. It hurts you because you know they have no reason to do so."

Olds, who is not married, said she would love the opportunity.

"I would certainly hope that I am being considered, given my education, experience and knowledge about judicial issues," Olds said. "But it is totally up to the legislative delegation. It is not something that I can just apply to and hope my record speaks for itself. I am honored to serve at any level, but it is only human nature to hope for some job advancement after almost 13 years of service."

Spruill and Gillis agree that Olds' future will only get brighter.

"Her reputation precedes her," Spruill said. "She's a great person, a great judge. She'd be a fine circuit court judge. I hope we have the opportunity to advance her. She'd be the best in Chesapeake, and that comes from somebody who she ran against."

Spruill added that Olds has proven herself.

"Some people you know good things will happen to," Gillis said. "She's one of those people. She's just a good, decent person trying to do well for the community."

Christy Barritt, 651-6166,

christybarritt@cox.net