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The effort to rename the Justice Center was brought forward by 37th Circuit Court Judge John Hallacy, who cited Coleman’s lifelong connection to Calhoun County, her influence on women in the legal profession and the example her career continues to provide to those who work in and visit the courts.
In his original request for the name change, Hallacy described Coleman as a jurist who “rose from our community to shape Michigan’s legal landscape” and whose career exemplified public service.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved the name change during its May 7 meeting.
Coleman’s influence extended well beyond the historic firsts of her career. As Calhoun County’s Probate and Juvenile Judge, she developed a particular concern for children involved in the judicial system. She served on statewide committees addressing juvenile justice and later established an interdisciplinary effort known as the Coleman Commission, which sought to remove barriers preventing children in the child welfare system from finding permanent homes.
Coleman was also a strong advocate for women in the legal profession. During her 1972 campaign for the Michigan Supreme Court, she emphasized that she sought the position based on her judicial experience, rather than her gender. Her election opened a door that had never before been opened in Michigan: prior to Coleman, a woman had never even been nominated to run for the Michigan Supreme Court.
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