Senate Resolution 79
By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Harbison of the 15th, Jones of the 10th, Beach of the 21st,
McLaurin of the 14th and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley on May 19, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley was born on October 5, 1937, in Passaic, New
Jersey, a beloved daughter of Stephen and Beatrice Toth; and
WHEREAS, after studying American history and government at St. Lawrence University in
New York, she briefly worked at the State Department in Washington, D.C., before attending
the American University Washington College of Law, where she was one of only a few
females in her class; and
WHEREAS, upon her graduation, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley began her distinguished law
career as a clerk in Arlington, Virginia, before becoming an associate at the law firm
Shadyac, Berg & Nolen; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure at the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, she worked in
the criminal division and argued five cases before the United States Supreme Court,
including the landmark cases Doe v. Bolton and Furman v. Georgia; and
WHEREAS, she further served as a federal prosecutor in the Northern District of Georgia
before becoming the first female judge of the Fulton County State Court, where she
introduced the county to the concept of community service as a criminal sentence; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, she was appointed by then-Governor Joe Frank Harris as the first
woman on the Georgia Court of Appeals, becoming the state's first female appellate judge
as well as the court's first female chief judge in 1995; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated member of her community, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley served
with multiple professional organizations, supported civics education programs, advocated
for public health, raised awareness of child sex trafficking, and much more; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley will long
be remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all
who had the great fortune of knowing her.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
join in honoring the life and memory of Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley and express their
deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of
Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley.