On Tuesday, April 28, 2009 the Second District Court of Appeal held oral arguments in Lakeland with its first female panel of judges.   Judge Patricia J. Kelly, (center) presiding, with Judge Nelly N. Khouzam (left) and Judge Marva L. Crenshaw (right).   
“It took a little over 50 years for our court to reach this milestone, and I am pleased to have been a member of the panel.  We currently have more women serving on our court than at any time in its history, and I am looking forward to the day that an all woman panel is no longer viewed as something out of the ordinary.” observed Judge Kelly.  The district’s first female judge, Judge Carolyn K. Fulmer, was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1994.  Judge Peggy Quince (now Justice on the Florida Supreme Court) was also appointed in 1994.  Judge Virginia M. Covington (now on the U. S. District Court) and Judge Kelly were appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2001.  Judge Khouzam was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in August 2008.  Governor Crist appointed Judge Crenshaw in January 2009.