Judge elected in historic group of 17 black female judges dies one week after cancer diagnosis

Cassandra Hollemon, one of the 17 black women elected as Houston-area judges last year, has died one week after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Hollemon’s daughter, Brandy Hollemon, confirmed to the Associated Press that her mother died Monday at age 57.

“She was an awesome, very strong woman,” Brandy Hollemon said.

Cassandra Hollemon was part of the “Black Girl Magic” campaign ahead of last year’s midterm elections.{mosads}

The group is believed to have made history as the largest group of black female judges to be elected at the same time in Harris County history. They were among a group of 38 district Democratic judges elected in the midterm elections in the county with more than 4 million people.

The Harris County Democratic Party is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Cassandra Holleman.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time.https://t.co/U2xpOpvNwn

— Harris Democrats (@harrisdemocrats) February 11, 2019

Seventeen of the women were sworn in together on Jan. 1. A viral photo of the group also featured two judges who lost elections to the Harris County criminal court, but kept their lower local judgeships.

Brandy Hollemon told the AP that her mother, who presided over the Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12, worked until Jan. 23. She spoke fondly of her mother’s dedication to law school while caring for her and her brother after the death of their father in 1992.

“She continued to go to law school and she studied endless nights,” she said. “She had a table she would sit at with a little lamp and just study all night long, and she was working a full-time job.”

The Harris County Commissioners Court will appoint Hollemon’s replacement, according to the report.