Historical FigureAmerican1894 – 1988
Burnita Shelton Matthews
First female federal judge in the United States
Biography
American jurist and the first woman to be appointed as a federal judge in the United States, serving on the U.S. District Court.
Quick Facts
Category
Historical Figure
Nationality
American
Born
1894
Died
1988
Thinking about the name
Burnita
English origin
“A feminine form created by adding the Spanish/Italian -ita diminutive suffix to Burne or Burns, creating warmth and approachability. Burnita combines Scottish water-based heritage with Latinate femininity, resulting in a name that feels international and distinctive. It has both softness and character.”