Judith lives in Tallahassee, Florida, for almost 50 years. She was the first elected black and black female County Judge for Leon County, Florida. She served eighteen years. In 2024, she moved to Tennessee.

In 2011, she founded Gaza Road Ministries and in 2020, GRM2, a non-profit organization.  Her ministry presented "Living the Balance Life Women's Enrichment and Encouragement Conference" in 2023 and 2024.

She has participated as an international inspirational / motivational speaker and workshop presenter at numerous retreats and conventions.  An author, her written works are available on Amazon.

Judith combined her love for traveling and ministry by participating in international mission trips. She travels the world preaching, teaching, and providing humanitarian services to those less fortunate. She helped build a school in Costa Rica in 2001. In 2002 she preached her first evangelistic campaign in Kenya. She has also preached in Dominican Republic ('03); Taiwan ('04); Romania ('05); Mongolia ('06); Irian Jaya, Indonesia ('07); Mexico ('08); Brazil ('09); Guyana ('12); Trinidad ('15); Peru ('16);  Cuba ('20); Mexico ('23); Papua New Guinea (’24); and Kenya (“24). Her Thanksgiving week ('10) was spent in Haiti with Mission of Hope.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Judith is the fifth of eight children born to James and Margerye Warren. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Andrews University in 1973, a Master’s degree in Family Relations and Human Development from The Ohio State University in 1977, and she earned a law degree from Florida State University College of Law (1984).

Judith was married for 40 years to the late James E. Hawkins, Ph.D., retired Dean, School of Journalism and Graphic Communications, Florida A&M University. Their son, Jason, and his wife, Dionne, made them the proud grandparents of two granddaughters, Keira Noelle and Kyla Christine.