New Baltimore Courthouse Honors Mabel H. Hubbard, First Black Female Judge in Maryland

In a heartfelt ceremony, 9-year-old Phoebe Hubbard had the honor of cutting the ribbon for the newly named Mabel H. Hubbard District Courthouse in Baltimore. The courthouse, located at 500 N. Calvert St. in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, pays tribute to her late grandmother, Mabel H. Hubbard, who made history as Maryland's first Black female judge.

The event, held on Tuesday, was organized by the Maryland Department of General Services and the Maryland Judiciary. The courthouse, which spans 168,000 square feet, was built in the former Shillman Building, originally completed in 1973. The total cost of construction, including change orders, reached $72 million.

Mabel Hubbard's judicial career began in 1978 when she was appointed as a master in chancery for juvenile cases in Baltimore. Three years later, she was appointed to the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City by then-Governor Harry Hughes. Her remarkable career continued when Hughes appointed her to the Baltimore Circuit Court, where she served from 1985 until her retirement in 1999.

The decision to name the courthouse after Mabel Hubbard was made by the Maryland Board of Public Works on October 22. Key figures at the dedication ceremony included Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, and Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, who spoke to the significance of this honor.

John Hubbard, Phoebe's father, expressed pride in his mother's legacy and noted that Phoebe aspires to follow in her footsteps, showing an interest in a future in government.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).