Marie-José Crespin (27 July 1936 – 6 February 2025) was a Senegalese magistrate.[1]
After her retirement from the bench, Crespin worked as a jewelry designer and hosted an exhibition dedicated to the island of Gorée.[2][3][4]
Life and career
Born in Dahomey on 27 July 1936,[5][6] her father and grandfather were lawyers. In 1940, her family moved to Dakar. In 1961, upon Senegal's independence, she was one of the first four magistrates of the country alongside Ousmane Camara, El Hadji Diouf, and André Gilbert.[7]
Crespin worked in the Senegalese court system for 41 years. During this time, she served on the Supreme Court.[8] She was also an examining magistrate and was the first woman to preside over the assizes in criminal cases in Senegal.[9][10]
In 2002, Crespin retired from the civil service and dedicated herself to creating jewelry with beads.[11][12][13] She also set up a permanent exhibition of old engravings and slavery in Gorée in her home on the island, which served as the basis for her work Trésors de l'iconographie du Sénégal colonial.
Crespin died on 6 February 2025, at the age of 88.[14]
Distinctions
- Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit of Guinea
- Commander of the Ordre national du Mérite
References
- ^ "Nécrologie : Décès de Marie José Crespin, ancienne membre du Conseil constitutionnel du Sénégal". Dakar Actu (in French). 7 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ Maveau, Roger (1 June 2017). "Sénégal - Gorée : l'île-monde de l'art contemporain". Le Point (in French). Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Marie Josée Crespin, initiatrice de Gorée «Regards sur Cours» : «Il y a autre chose à voir à Gorée qu'une Maison des esclaves»". Slate Afrique (in French). 6 July 2013. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Marie-José Crespin". Jeune Afrique (in French). 5 May 2004. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "DECRET n° 2013-1404 du 7 novembre 2013". Journal Officiel du Sénégal (in French). 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "L'Afrique des Colliers: Marie-José Crespin". Johann Jacobs Museum. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018.
- ^ "Femmes du Sénégal: Marie José Crespin (Gorée)". YouTube (in French). 5 April 2014.
- ^ Hiribarren, Vincent (10 June 2018). "Métis du Sénégal". Libération (in French). Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Les anciens membres". Conseil Constitutionnel (in French).
- ^ "Décret n° 2002-132 conférant l'honorariat à un magistrat". Journal Officiel du Sénégal (in French). 8 June 2002. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Discover L'Afrique des Colliers – Marie-José Crespin: 14th August, 4 p.m." Praesant.
- ^ "Marie-Josée Crespin, histoire de perles". au-senegal.com (in French). 15 March 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Le Sénégal au coeur de Paris". Radio France Internationale (in French). 11 May 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ Nar Dia, Abdou (7 February 2025). "Marie-José Crespin : départ d'une figure emblématique de la magistrature sénégalaise". Senego.com (in French). Retrieved 12 February 2025.