Miriam Naveira

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Miriam Naveira de Merly (Born July 28, 1934 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican jurist who served in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico from 1985 to 2004. Naveira was the first female ever to serve on the court as well as the first, and only, female Chief Justice (2003-2004).

[edit] Biography

Naveira was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1934. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and her Law degree from the University of Puerto Rico.

Naveira was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1985 by then Governor Rafael Hernández Colón becoming the first woman on that court. During her tenure, Naveira was known as a pragmatic and moderate justice.

After the retirement of Chief Justice José Andreu García in 2003, Governor Sila Calderón elevated Justice Naveira to the post of Chief Justice. However, her tenure lasted only seven months since the Constitution of Puerto Rico states that Supreme Court Justices must retire at the age of seventy. She was succeeded by her colleague Federico Hernández Denton.

Preceded by Carlos Irrizarry Yunqué	Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico 1985-2003	Succeeded by Liana Fiol Matta
Preceded by José Andreu García	Chief Justice of Puerto Rico 2003-2004	Succeeded by Federico Hernández Denton