'It's a calling': Cabarrus County swears in first African-American district judge

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — It is a historic day in Cabarrus County, where the first African-American district judge was sworn in.

Judge Juanita Boger-Allen said it was her past experiences that helped prepare her for one of the most important jobs in the county.

[ [ALSO READ: Anson County's first African-American sheriff speaks about goals for county] ]

"It's surreal because it's a calling. It's not just a job. It's what I believe I was made for and born for on this day and this time," Boger-Allen said.

Boger-Allen said she is an Army veteran, a breast cancer survivor, and an attorney.

She has been in every courtroom in Cabarrus County to protect children and seniors from abuse.

Now, as a district judge in Cabarrus County, she will be ruling over the courtrooms where misdemeanor and felony cases are heard.

"It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, what color you are, your economic status, you will be treated equal," Boger-Allen said.

In Cabarrus County, new judges can be sworn in on Jan. 1 when court is not in session.

[ [ALSO READ: Olivia Hooker, first black woman in US Coast Guard, dies at 103] ]

Allen said even though court was not in session, she wanted to be sworn in at Oak Grove Baptist Church, the place where she grew up in Harrisburg.

"I grew up in the projects of Cabarrus County so I can relate to living like that, living without, living on free and reduced lunch," Boger-Allen said.

Allen said her first job was at Bojangle's, but now she will be one of the highest paid people in the county.

"Now, the kids can look at me and say, 'Hey I can do that too. I don't have to look at the basketball stars and movie stars, but we have someone right here in the community who cares about us,'" Boger-Allen said.

Allen added she knows she is first African-American District Judge in Cabarrus County, but she believes she will not be the last.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: