Linda Anderson, a former assistant U.S. Attorney, has become the first black federal magistrate in Mississippi.

Chief U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate announced Anderson’s appointment. She will serve in the state’s 45-county Southern District.

Anderson is the second woman to hold the position. The first was Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander of the Northern District.

Anderson replaces Magistrate Alfred G. Nicols Jr., who retired in February.

She worked with the U.S. Attorneys office until her appointment, is a former Hinds County assistant district attorney, and a former music teacher.

“We unanimously agreed she should be our choice,” Wingate said Thursday of himself and the other five district judges in the Southern District. “She has considerable trial experience and has infinite knowledge of federal court rules.”

There are eight magistrate judges statewide, including five in the Southern District.