POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Racial and gender diversity is often lacking in the American court systems, but Polk County just swore in one of the most diverse groups of judges the community has ever seen.

Six new circuit and county judges were formally sworn into Polk County’s largest judge investiture ceremony to date. Four of the six judges are women and two are African American women.

“It was really an honor to be sworn in,” said Honorable Judge Cassandra Denmark of Polk County. “I am one of three African American judges benched and one of four sworn in. Judge Karla Wright passed away – she paved the way for us.”

Honorable Judge Cassandra Denmark is one of four women who were sworn in last week and one of a handful of African American women to serve in her position historically.

“It really is a dream come true,” said Denmark. “I always wanted to be a judge. Even as a kid, my mom knew that I was going to be an attorney or something in that field.”

Sheriff Grady Judd swore Judge Denmark into her position as a circuit court judge.

“Yes, today I’m serving in the district’s delinquency division but I worked for the sheriff's department before,” said Denmark. “I served as the director of legal affairs for over five years and then opened my own practice.”

Only 10% of sitting judges in lower federal courts are Black, according to the Center for American Progress, but Denmark said the lack of representation didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams.

“It started when I was a little girl and I used to watch Perry Mason,” said Denmark. “I knew I wanted to be an attorney and ultimately a judge.”

Judge Denmark says she and many others thank former Judge Karla Wright for paving the way.