What happens when a judge brings the wisdom of Motherhood to the bench?

In this powerful conversation, Judge Sharonda Amamilo—Mother, military veteran, and the first person of color elected in her county—shares how Motherhood transformed her understanding of justice, leadership, and public service. Drawing from her experiences in the military, the legal profession, and the courtroom, she explains why truly fair decision-making requires understanding the whole person—not just the facts of a case.

Judge Amamilo reflects on the experiences that shaped her path to the bench, from pursuing a legal career to protect and provide for her children to serving her country and ultimately making history in elected office. She reveals how Motherhood sharpened her ability to lead with both empathy and accountability, and why trauma-informed decision-making is essential to achieving just outcomes.

Together, we explore the surprising parallels between parenting and judging, the power of representation in leadership, and the unique perspective brought by a bench composed largely of women and Mothers. Judge Amamilo makes a compelling case that some of our most valuable leadership skills are cultivated through caregiving—and that justice is strongest when it recognizes the humanity of the people it serves.

Whether you're passionate about leadership, public service, social justice, or the transformative power of Motherhood, this episode offers an inspiring look at how one trailblazing judge is redefining what leadership can look like. Her story reminds us that the skills developed through Motherhood are not a detour from leadership—they are leadership.

Links:

https://dcyfoversight.wa.gov/board/sharonda-amamilo/

https://seattlemedium.com/judge-sharonda-amamilo-supreme-court/

https://www.trialnewsonline.org/trialnews/march_2025/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=2047657#articleId2047657

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