Font ResizeSome may believe York is not ready for a black mayor.
But in 1980, the residents of Willingboro in Burlington County, N.J., elected York native Marie White Bell as their first black mayor.
That wasn't the only first in Bell's life.
When she received her law degree in 1973 from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., she was the first black female to work as a law clerk at the Superior Court in Burlington County, where she now sits on the bench.
But practicing law is her second career.
She was a biologist for 12 years.
While working full time during the day as a biologist, Bell attended law school at night.
After receiving her license, she practiced law for a while and eventually became a municipal court judge, a position she held for 17 years.
There, she was in charge of three courts.
Too many times, Bell said she sees black people before her, which makes her concerned about the overpopulation of black males in the prison system.
So, the New Jersey Superior Court judge also serves as chairman of the Committee of Minority Concerns for the state Superior Court.
The committee
"I have ministers, schoolteachers, superintendents and some students" on the committee, Bell said. "We're not so much hearing solutions - we're hearing the cause of it."
She sees the problem needing both an economic and sociological response.
She also knows it's a universal problem.
"What we're looking at is diversion - diverting the kids away from the criminal justice system through prevention, parental responsibility, drug treatment programs and police being more sensitive to the kids they are confronting on the streets," she said.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
"Being the first African-American mayor of the previous town I lived in."
Who is your hero?
"My parents were my heroes. And historically, I've got to say Harriet Tubman."
How did you affect your profession?
"Well, I led the way to judicial clerkships for minority persons," she said. "I was the first African-American law clerk in the county, and I have a number of students that . . . I encouraged them to pursue the profession of law - as well as politics, I might say."
Who or what is your inspiration?
"My husband as well as my parents were," she said, adding her father is now deceased.
What would you like your hometown to know about you?
"Anything that would encourage other people to succeed," she said.
What's the best piece of advice you can give or have ever gotten?
"Never forget where you came from."
MARIE WHITE BELL BIOGRAPHY
Occupation: State Superior Court judge in New Jersey
Born: York
Current home: Springfield Township in New Jersey
Marital status: Married
Children: None
Education: Bachelor's degree in biology from Lycoming College in Williamsport and a law degree from Seton Hall University in East Orange, N.J.
