Romonda Belcher-Ford

Romonda Belcher-Ford (born in 1968) became the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the State of Iowa upon her confirmation on August, 2010. She is a former Assistant County Attorney and retired District Associate Judge in Iowa's Fifth Judicial District, serving Polk County. She served 15 years as an attorney dealing with juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, and served the court as an Associate Judge between August 2010 and early 2024.

Early life and education Romonda Belcher-Ford was the second-born in 1968 to a middle-class family in Plymouth, North Carolina, a small town of less than 4,000 at the time. Her mother worked at a department store as a salesperson while raising two other kids. Her father attained his GED and worked for wages at an asbestos-filled pulp-mill before starting his own enterprise installing satellite TV systems. Her mother also assured she was involved in the community, participating in the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and having her enroll in organ lessons, theatre, and marching band. She accredits much of her drive for excellence after her graduation to Glanton, who she considered a second mother and called Ms. G. - this experience would be formative in shaping her trauma-informed jurisprudence that she would go on to become well known for. In 2003, her sister was murdered in an instance of domestic violence, leaving behind 2 children. wherein the Iowa supreme court affirmed the legality of gay marriage. The highly controversial decision resulted in the removal of 3 judges in the following retention elections in 2010. First, she was told she was too young and inexperienced in criminal law, a difficulty she would overcome by working as a prosecutor in juvenile cases in the Polk County Attorney's office; then she was told she was too inexperienced in civil law, which she overcame by taking civil positions in the same office.

Upon the retirement of former district associate Judge Joe E. Smith in 2010, Romonda Belcher-Ford applied alongside 20 other highly qualified candidates for the position. The Iowa State Judicial system involves a multi-tiered merit-based peer selection process through which a nominating commission restricts the applicants to three competitors which sitting judges interview and pick via majority vote. Her nomination relied upon the approval of the majority of the sitting judges including Carol S. Elgy, Cynthia M. Moisan, Gregory D. Brandt, James D. Birkenholz, Louise M. Jacobs, William A. Prince, Carol L. Coppola, Odell G. Mghee II, Colin J. Witt, and Raechel E. Seymour; Having been extensively interviewed by the court, she was recognized for her willingness to listen and compassionate practice in the courtroom. The names of her opponents and the final vote tally are not public record, but she was officially confirmed on August 20, 2010. Iowa simply asks voters whether to retain a judge without providing partisan affiliation; asking a simple "Yes, retain" or "No, remove". In 2012, Romonda Belcher-Ford was retained, receiving another 6 years on the bench of the Polk county district court. Of the 9 judges up for retention, she was the least popular judge overall, winning 76.53% of the vote.

Retirement (2024–present) After her retirement in 2024, she began to work as adjunct faculty at Drake University Law School, mentoring African American law students in particular. She spends much of her time opening doors for students that are part of the Drake University Law School Black Law Students Association which she has been regularly attending since her leadership in 1994. She was succeeded by Jordan Brackey, a Kim Reynolds appointed judge. She has one child. and recognized as Drake Law School's Alumna of the Year in 2024.

Additionally, she took multiple simultaneous leadership positions as the (Iowa State Bar Association) ISBA co-chair of the Women & Minorities committee and of the ISBA Best Practices for Inclusiveness Task Force.