On Feb. 12, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper appointed Justice Cheri Beasley as the next chief justice of the NC Supreme Court, making her the first black woman in the esteemed role in state history.

“I know Justice Beasley to be fair and deeply committed to all North Carolinians,” Cooper said in a press conference, as reported by ABC11. “I appreciate her willingness to serve our state in this appointed role.”

According to WRAL, Beasley will start her new position on March 1, following the resignation of Chief Justice Mark Martin, who will become dean of Virginia’s Regent University School of Law.

“It is not lost on me — this historic fact — especially since this is Black History Month,” Beasley said in a press conference, according to ABC11. “I know that the work we do is hugely important … I hope that in some way my service inspires young people especially, but really I hope it is a show of symbolism for where we are in North Carolina.”

According to ABC11, Governor Jim Hunt first appointed Beasley to the state bench in 1999. In addition, she was previously an associate judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and served as a district court judge. Beasley has served on the North Carolina Supreme Court since 2012.

Cooper broke the tradition of naming the senior member of the court as chief justice, according to WRAL. Justice Paul Newby and Justice Robin Hudson have been on the Supreme Court longer than Beasley.

Newby heavily criticized Cooper’s decision on social media and said he looks forward to running against Beasley for chief justice in the 2020 election, WRAL said.

However, Cooper responded to Newby’s criticism.

“I’m going to pick the best person that I can pick for the job,” Cooper said, according to WRAL. “The people will be the ultimate decider of this, because whoever is chosen will stand for election in 2020.”

On the other hand, Congressman G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat, applauded Cooper’s decision to appoint Beasley, as stated by ABC11.

“This is certainly not the North Carolina of 200 years ago,” Beasley said, according to WRAL. “I’m excited about the fact that North Carolina has moved forward, that we do have a diverse court, and it’s so important that people feel good and have confidence in the work that we do.”