Longtime Kane County Associate Judge Patricia Piper Golden, who in 1976 was the first female to win a contested election for a state's attorney post in the state's history, retired this week.

"I was very fortunate to be in a judicial system that really is the envy of people all over the world," said Golden, 62, of Dundee Township.

In 1976, Golden was elected Carroll County state's attorney, marking the first time in the state a woman won a contested election for state's attorney.

"She was definitely a glass ceiling breaker in terms of prosecutors outside of Cook County," 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Judith Brawka said.

Brawka noted Golden's penchant for being patient and fair, and for giving people a chance to have a voice through the Child Advocacy Center and drug court.

"She has always shown, throughout her life, a lot of care and concern for the underdog," Brawka said. "Patricia Golden is irreplaceable. We'll miss her."

Judge Golden currently serves as co-chair for the ISBA's Special Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts. Her husband, Loren Golden, is an ISBA Past President.

Read more in the Daily Herald at www.dailyherald.com/article/20130131/news/701319710/