В Ричмонд-каунти (Грузия) впервые в истории назначена чернокожая женщина-полковник

Richmond County Marshal’s Office promotes first Black female colonel AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Colonel Monica Ephraim has become the first Black woman to hold the rank of colonel at the Richmond County Marshal’s Office. Ephraim said her career path was not always clear. “I remember thinking this is not for me. I’m gonna quit,” Ephraim said. Ephraim said she faced challenges very early when she began working in law enforcement. “Within my first year of becoming a police officer, I faced so many challenges that I remember one day literally taking off my uniform and I went to the police station to turn in all of my things,” Ephraim said. A Black female lieutenant convinced Ephraim to keep going despite the challenges, and now she has made history. A collection of people Ephraim said her promotion reflects the work of those who came before her. “A door has been opened for me. And making history doesn’t mean that it took one person to be here. I recognize the fact that it was a collection of people that came before me to make this possible for me today,” Ephraim said. One of those people is Marshal Ramone Lamkin, who made history 10 years ago as Richmond County’s first Black marshal. Lamkin said Ephraim’s promotion serves as an example for his daughters. “It’s definitely, you know, just remarkable for my daughters to see women that can do anything. Don’t let anybody put a cap on what you can do because you’re this color, because you’re this gender. If you can dream it, it can happen. And so she’s a testament to that,” Lamkin said. Serving the community With her new title, Ephraim said she is looking to serve the community and inspire other women. “As a godparent or as an auntie or as a daughter or niece, I feel that it’s a great honor to represent professional women in law enforcement across the United States, because I would love to be an example for other people coming behind me,” Ephraim said. Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.