PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Rhode Island judge was recently sworn in as the United States District Judge for Rhode Island and made history while doing so. Judge Melissa DuBose is the first woman of color, and first LGBTQ+ person on the court. A lifelong Rhode Islander, Judge DuBose earned her degrees at Providence College and the Roger Williams University School of Law, and taught for 14 years at Providence Public Schools. After teaching, she worked in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, before serving as Rhode Island district judge from 2019 until today. President Joe Biden nominated Judge DuBose last January, to replace outgoing Judge William Smith. Judge DuBose was sworn in in a private ceremony on Friday. Her public investiture is scheduled for the month of March. Categories: News, Rhode Island