L’Observateur / September 27, 2000

ATLANTA – Former LaPlace resident and 1979 East St. John High Schoolgraduate Penny Brown Reynolds was recently sworn in as a state judge in Atlanta.

Judge Reynolds has distinguished herself as the first African-American in Georgia’s history to serve as executive counsel to any governor, serving as executive counsel to Gov. Roy Barnes, who appointed her judge. In addition toher appointment as judge she was also appointed co-chair for the continuance of the Governor’s Commission on Certainty in Sentencing.

Reynolds received her bachelor of science degree, cum laude, from Georgia State University after only three years of study. She then received her jurisdoctor from Georgia State University’s College of Law, where she was presented the university’s highest student award. Upon graduation from lawschool she joined the Attorney General’s Office. The judge also served as theexecutive counsel and chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard.She is also the co-editor of “Women and the Law: A Guide to Women’s Legal Rights in Georgia.” Reynolds serves on several distinguished boards in Atlanta and has received recognition and awards for the work she has done. Most recently, theNational Council of Negro Women named her as “Woman of Wonder,” saluting her as a national and state community leader of the year for 2000.

Reynolds is married to the Rev. Edward Reynolds and is the mother of twosons, Michael Armour Jr., a junior at Dillard University, and Fela Reynolds, asenior at Hampton Institute.

Relatives and friends of Judge Reynolds from Reserve and LaPlace who attended the swearing in ceremonies included her mother, Deforest Brown, her aunts Blanche Cambre, Sylvia Scott and Joyce Brown, her son Michael Armour, her grandparents, Herman and Wilhelmina Armour and Audrey and Rudy Sylvain, and Mamie Gray.

Following the ceremony, Gov. and Mrs. Roy Barnes hosted a reception at thegovernor’s mansion for nearly 200 guests. Judge Reynolds was also feted atseveral other socials to celebrate the occasion.

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