by S. Rotan Hale
Before a panel of Virginia judges, former Delegate Onzlee Ware stood in a courtroom filled with family, friends and supporters as he took the oath Friday, Nov. 21 becoming the state’s first African American Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge, 23rd District.
Ware’s longtime associate K.C. Bratton got a little choked up as he read his friend’s bio. The story outlined the path of the Greensboro, NC native who graduated from NCA&T and went on to receive his Juris doctorate from North Carolina Central School of Law. Ware moved to Roanoke in 1985 and subsequently set up a private law practice after working for the Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America.
He rose as an aspiring legislator and in 2004 became the first African American (west of Charlottesville) to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates–a position he held for 5 consecutive terms.
As a delegate he served on the Appropriations Committee; Counties, Cities and Towns Committee, Education Committee and as a conferee on the 2013 Commonwealth Transportation Bill that sets the coarse to return passenger rail service to the Roanoke Area.
Judge Philip Trompter led Ware through the reading of the oath and affectionately christened the moment with a ceremonial hug as he welcomed the new judge to the commonwealth’s bench.
During his first speech as a judge, Ware spoke of the enormous support received from family, extended family and friends throughout his upbringing and during his entire career.
He talked extensively giving much credit to his mother Edna Ware who proudly sat in the audience witnessing this special moment that was a true testament to her tireless efforts as a single-parent raising 4 children.
Referring to her as “an icon in Greensboro,” Judge Ware said “My mom taught me everything that I realize about life that has made me successful.” With two older sisters and one younger brother, young Onzlee as the first-born son was considered head man in the family.
Referring to some of the many lessons learned from his mother, Judge Ware said, “If you fail at something it’s your obligation to get right back up and try again and in our household it was no such thing as quitting.”
He gave a vivid account of conditions his family experienced back in the day, as he and his siblings had to celebrate Christmas morning at 2:30am so his mother could make the trek (by bus) to work for others on the wealthy side of town. Her selfless acts instilled in him the universal principle that “through unconditional love and sacrifice, you take care of your family first and then you take care of yourself.”
“My mom taught us how to be grateful for the simple things in life and how the measure of a person is… all about the service you give to others,” he told the captive audience.
Ware also said his mother raised him to respect all individuals regardless to race or standing. “Black and White was not discussed in our house in a racist manner,” he said.
He mentioned his admiration for such icons as Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi and also mentioned Muhammad Alias another figure that changed his life as an African American man who stood up for his beliefs as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.
In summation, Judge Ware said, “The bench needs to be a microcosm of our community. I’ll be the best judge I can be based on my experiences but I’ll never allow a position to define me.”
Among the congregation of judicial overseers at the momentous occasion was Judge Charles Dorsey who, through closing remarks spoke of his colleague as a trusted confidant, friend and advisor. Quoting Voltaire he urged the new judge to go forth in his appointment “Adoring God, loving your friends, not hating your enemies and detesting hypocrisy.”
With this latest installment, a new chapter begins in the Virginia judicial system as the Honorable Judge Onzlee Ware takes his place December 1 on the bench for a six-year term.
