By Staff
Judge Glenda Hatchett has long been a role model of strength, wisdom, and resilience. Her journey from corporate America to the bench and television screens has inspired millions. However, as she candidly shared in a recent conversation, even the most powerful women must acknowledge their limits.
“Superwoman is a character. She is not real. She is a cartoon character. And I was suffering from superwoman syndrome like I had to do everything,” Judge Hatchett admitted, reflecting on a life-changing experience with pneumonia.
While juggling her duties as a judge and television personality, she was commuting between Atlanta and New York when her body sent her a stark warning. “I got really sick with pneumonia, I mean, like really sick to the point where my older son had to fly to New York to bring me back here. And I was too sick to even be alone at my house,” she recalled.
That wake-up call led her to reevaluate her priorities. Yet, like many driven women, she struggled to slow down. The reality of exhaustion, coupled with a scare of acid reflux mistaken for a heart attack, forced her to make lasting changes. One of those changes was transitioning to a vegetarian diet, a decision she made while on a trip to India in 2005. “I was already a pescatarian but did not miss seafood when I gave it up. And I know that that has made a difference because I live a fast-paced life,” she said.
Judge Hatchett’s commitment to health is deeply personal. She spoke with admiration about her mother, who lived a full and adventurous life, taking synchronized swimming lessons at 85 and driving her convertible at 97. “She squeezed every ounce of life,” Hatchett shared. This legacy of vitality motivates her to remain healthy, especially for her grandchildren. “I have four grandchildren. Two of them lost their mother, and I want to be here for them. But I also want to be here for me. I want to be vibrant and focused.”
Judge Hatchett remains grounded in family traditions despite her many accolades and achievements. When asked about her Mother’s Day plans, she responded, “I don’t know. My son and grandsons typically figure it out, and they just let me know. Last year, we went to brunch at The Gathering Spot. And I love orchids. Orchids are my favorite.”
On the morning of this conversation, Judge Hatchett had received a significant honor. “I was honored at a breakfast this morning. The Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus presented me with their highest award.” It was a testament to her lifelong commitment to justice, advocacy, and leadership.
Judge Hatchett’s remarkable career speaks volumes. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Emory University School of Law, she broke barriers as the first Black clerk in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. She later became Delta Air Lines’ highest-ranking woman of color worldwide before being appointed Georgia’s first Black Chief Judge of a State Court. Her groundbreaking work in juvenile justice reform has earned her numerous awards, including the NAACP’s Justice Thurgood Marshall Award.
Beyond the courtroom, Hatchett, Of Counsel with Stewart Miller Simmons, a prominent law firm in Atlanta, has served on the boards of Fortune 500 companies, consulted for the NFL and NBA, and remains an advocate for social justice. Her television career, including the long-running, 24-season show Judge Hatchett and her latest show, The Verdict, has further cemented her role as a trusted voice in the legal and social spheres.
Her message to women is clear: “Listen to your bodies. Be in tune with what is happening internally. It’s the Creator speaking to you.” Through personal trials and triumphs, Judge Hatchett exemplifies that true strength lies not in doing it all but knowing when to step back, prioritize health, and embrace the richness of life.
Judge Hatchett’s journey is a powerful reminder that success is not just about accolades but about well-being, legacy, and the courage to set boundaries. As she continues to inspire and advocate, her story serves as both a lesson and an encouragement for women everywhere to prioritize themselves unapologetically.
She is the author of Dare to Take Charge and the recently released 2025 planner. Greatness Planner
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