One of the 17 Black Women Elected as Judges in Houston Dies

Judge Cassandra Hollemon, who made headlines last year when she became one of 17 women elected Houston-area judges, died on Feb. 12 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 57.

Hollemon’s daughter, Brandy Hollemon, confirmed the news to the Associated Press on Wednesday , adding that her mother passed away just a week after she was diagnosed with the deadly illness.

“She was an awesome, very strong woman,” Brandy said. Her mother, who presided over the Harris County Criminal at Law No. 12, began to feel ill in the middle of December and worked until she was hospitalized on Jan. 23, writes the AP.

Hollemon was part of the “Black Girl Magic” campaign, which aimed to get 19 Black women elected as judges in Harris County.  

Brandy said her mother was mourning the death of her own mom, who died in December 2017, while she was campaigning. “The other judges would have to console her on the campaign trail, but she wouldn’t stop, she kept going—just endless hours, up late at night at different functions, campaigning and speaking. She just wouldn’t stop.”

Hollemon’s funeral was held Saturday, and the Harris County Commissioners Court has announced it will appoint her replacement, per the AP.