The 65 year old Sheila Abdus-Salaam created history after she was elected as a judge for New York Court of Appeals. In 2013, she became the first black woman and also the first Muslim to be appointed to the apex court. On Wednesday afternoon, her body washed ashore the Hudson River off the coast of Harlem.
The body was discovered by the New York Police Department’s harbor unit at around 1:45 P.M. Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Governor issued a statement late on Wednesday, “Justice Sheila Abdus-Salaam was a trailblazing jurist whose life in public service was in pursuit of a more fair and more just New York for all.” Cuomo also added, “As the first African-American woman to be appointed to the State’s Court of Appeals, she was a pioneer. Through her writings, her wisdom, and her unshakable moral compass, she was a force for good whose legacy will be felt for years to come.”
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of NYS Court of Appeals Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam, a most respected jurist.
— Rev Ruben Diaz (@revrubendiaz) 12 April 2017
The NYPD had said that Salaam’s body was sent to the West 125th and Marginal Street after being pulled out from the Hudson River. She was pronounced dead by the paramedics. The NYPD have taken up the case and are investigating the cause. The medics are yet to determine the actual cause of Salaam’s death. The Police also said that a missing report for Salaam was filed on Wednesday morning.
Abdus-Salaam was serving as Associate Judge for New York Court of Appeals when she was appointed by Cuomo as Judge in 2013. Reminiscing the appointment, Cuomo said, “I was proud to appoint her to the State’s highest court and am deeply saddened by her passing. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family, loved ones and colleagues during this trying and difficult time.”
Salaam was an achiever even from a young age. She began her legal career from the East Brooklyn Legal Services and went on to serve as a judge in the New York City Civil Court. She went on to be a judge in the State’s Supreme Court.
