PARAMUS, N.J. — The late Y. Gladys Barsamian (Yerchanig Barsamian) was born in southwest Detroit, as the first generation Armenian-American in her family. She achieved many accomplishments throughout her life before dying in 2016 at age 84. Her legacy will continue through the establishment of The Honorable Y. Gladys Barsamian Scholarship Fund.
Barsamian’s achievements started when she attended Cass Technical High School, which was known as a school of high achievers across the city of Detroit. She became the valedictorian of her 1950 class. From there she attended Wayne State University where she received her Bachelors of Arts and Juris Doctor Degrees, as one of only six women students. Barsamian practiced law for 17 years. She had a private practice where she specialized in providing legal assistance to immigrants, mostly of Armenian descent, who needed legal advice, but could not afford legal fees.
In January 1975, Barsamian was elected as the first woman on the bench of the Wayne County Probate Court. She was assigned to the Juvenile Division where she served for 18 years, including serving as presiding judge of that division for six years (from 1982-1987) and chief judge pro tem for two years (1985-1987).
Among her many achievements, Barsamian developed several important initiatives, including: Wayne County Juvenile Justice Plan; Recidivism Predictor Program (cost effective allocation of scarce resources); an Intensive Probation Program; Docket Managements Directives; a Youth Assistance Program; and, established a Citizens Advisory Committee composed of metro Detroit area community leaders. In addition to her Judicial duties, Judge Barsamian served in leadership roles in many professional Legal, Civic and Community Service organizations.
Barsamian was on the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Detroit Youth Foundation, Michigan Association for Emotionally Disturbed Children, Downtown YMCA, Women’s Economic Club (Past President from 1982-1983), and the Catholic Youth Organization and United Community Services. In 1981 she was honored by the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit as one of its “Women in Perspective.”
In January 1993, Barsamian retired from the Wayne County Bench. Post retirement, Judge Barsamian had the honor of the Detroit Public School to change its name to, The Y. Gladys Barsamian Preparatory Center. Judge Barsamian was a lifelong member of St John Armenian Apostolic Church in Michigan, a member of the ACYOA Central Council, a Sunday School Teacher, a Choir Member, and served on the Board of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School in Southfield.
