Term Ends: 2026
Party: D
The Honorable Trudy M. White is a native of Baton Rouge and a graduate of McKinley High School, Howard University, and the LSU Law Center. She is a graduate of Harvard University’s J.F. Kennedy School of Government’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management Women’s Director Development Programs.
In 1999, Judge Trudy was the first African-American female elected to Baton Rouge City Court, Division “B”. Judge Trudy was elevated to the 19th Judicial District Court bench, Division “J”, January 1, 2009, where she handles criminal and civil matters.
Judge Trudy is noted for being compassionate, courteous, and competent as a jurist. Many call Judge Trudy “the People’s Judge” for her active involvement in the Baton Rouge community. Her community involvement includes: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Jack & Jill of America, Inc.; Pride of Southdowns, Order of the Eastern Star; Louisiana State Bar Association; Louisiana Judicial Council/NBA; Louisiana District Judges Association; National Bar Association; Baton Rouge Bar Association; Louis A. Martinet Legal Society; Leadership Greater Baton Rouge, McKinley Alumni Association, and the Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS).
It is interesting to note that she was the script writer and researcher of a historical documentary entitled “Baton Rouge’s Troubled Waters: the Brooks Park Story”, a documentary that she did with the Louisiana Public Broadcasting station. Since 2003, she has collaborated with the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, where she brings women inmates to area schools and facilitates an interesting dialogue with the students.
In 2008, the YWCA awarded Judge Trudy its “Racial Justice” and “Speak Truth to Power” awards. The Louisiana State Bar Association selected her to receive its 2009 Crystal Gavel Award for her outstanding work and efforts with educating the public and students about legal matters. In 2010, Judge Trudy accepted the challenge of the Supreme Court to participate in educational programs about our system of law. In that regard, she took the stage as part of the cast of a local production of “12 Angry Men”. Following completion of the performance, she moderated a discussion with the audience about the jury process.