Kentanji Brown Jackson Becomes First Black Woman Confirmed to Supreme Court

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Jenifer Urzua, Reporter

After 51 long years of being an attorney judge, Ketanji Brown Jackson has been confirmed by the Senate to the Supreme Court. She has now made history by claiming her place as the first Black female justice. She has taken Justice Stephen Breyer’s place after his retirement.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, is sworn in to testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on pending judicial nominations on Capitol Hill, April 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. The committee is holding the hearing on pending judicial nominations. (Photo by Kevin Lamarque-Pool/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

“It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it,” Jackson said, clutching tissues tightly. “We’ve made it all of us. All of us.”

Jackson grew up in Miami, Florida. Both her parents attended segregated primary schools, then attended historically black colleges and universities. When Judge Jackson was in preschool, her father attended law school, and there she realized her love for the law. As he perused his law school homework, reading cases, young Ketanji  became more than interested.

53 senators voted to approve her for a seat on the Supreme Court. Although, when Jackson takes her seat on the court, she will not change the ideological balance.

She said she hopes her ascension to the court is a moment in which all Americans can take great pride. She will fulfill the promise made by Joe Biden during his 2020 presidential campaign.

Biden tweeted afterward  “Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation. We’ve taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America. She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honored to share this moment with her.”