Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince spoke Saturday with students in the College Reach-Out Program at Florida A&M University. Her message about the importance of education held specific relevance for students in CROP.
Quince stressed to students the importance of an education and shared the steps she took to reach her position on the Florida Supreme Court. The program consists of workshops and special college sessions designed to assist students grades 6-12 in developing an appreciation for obtaining a college degree. CROP also aims to help students improve FCAT scores and offers a three-week summer program to encourage pursuit of a post secondary education.
Quince graduated from Howard University with a Master of Science in Zoology. Her plans were to attend medical school, but with the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War going on around her, she developed an interest in law.
She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the Catholic University of America and later received a Doctor of Laws degree from both the Stetson University College of Law and the St. Thomas University School of Law.
Quince explained the rewards that can come from a college education and related some personal stories about her childhood in Virginia.
“I enjoyed going to school because it was a separation from the people around me who worked in the fields and did manual labor,” Quince said.
Quince opened a law office in Bradenton, and served as the Tampa Bureau Chief in Bradenton. She was a professional lawyer for 19 years before becoming a judge.
Quince is the only black woman currently serving on the Florida Supreme Court.
“When I started, it was particularly hard for me, being a black female, because of all the racism that was going on,” Quince said. “You have to prove yourself every day. You have to demonstrate competency in the area you want to be in no matter what it may be.”
The attending students appreciated Quince’s presence.
Cerita Bethea, 14, a ninth-grade student at Florida High School said, “Justice Quince was very interesting; I never saw a real judge in person. I learned a lot and was happy to hear her speak.”
Quince said she loves speaking with students and hopes she could be an inspiration in some way.
William Liptrot, counselor and CROP program coordinator, said he hoped Quince was motivational.
“I want them to be inspired to pursue a career in a chosen area of interest, especially the students interested in law,” Liptrot said.
He also said, because the CROP class is majority female, that “it’s an honor for black female students to physically see someone who can show and tell them how to achieve her status.”
Quince said she loves speaking with students and hopes she could be an inspiration in some way.
William Liptrot, counselor and CROP program coordinator, said he hoped Quince was motivational.
“I want them to be inspired to pursue a career in a chosen area of interest, especially the students interested in law,” Liptrot said.
He also said, because the CROP class is majority female, that “it’s an honor for black female students to physically see someone who can show and tell them how to achieve her status.”