On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the US Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. The Senate voted 53-47 to confirm Jackson, making her the first African-American woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Jackson’s elevation to the Supreme Court is regarded as one of the most consequential decisions made by the president and Democrats in Congress. It is also a huge win for Biden and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer.
In her confirmation hearing, Jackson said she has written hundreds of opinions over the years, and she has tried to follow the law without fear or favor.
During her confirmation hearing, Jackson also addressed the issue of racial discrimination, noting that it has taken over two centuries for a woman of color to be appointed to the Supreme Court. However, now, they’ve made it.
Throughout her speech, Jackson thanked those who helped her reach her goals, such as her mentors, including Stephen Breyer, and her parents, who were both from segregated schools. Patrick Jackson, her husband, also sat in the front row in support.
Currently, Jackson is a judge in the DC Circuit Court, which is considered one of the most important courts in the country. Some of the well-known Supreme Court justices have served on the circuit before becoming Supreme Court members, such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Jackson will be the first justice to have experience as a public defender. Before becoming a judge, she worked as a corporate lawyer. During her time as a public defender, she served from February 2005 to June 2007.
According to a 2020 report by the Center for American Progress, having more diverse professional backgrounds can improve the quality of judicial decisions. Having worked as a public defender, which Jackson did, further strengthened her understanding of the country’s justice system.
Throughout her career, Jackson has received various awards. In 2021, Columbia University’s Law School honored her with its Constance Baker Motley Award, which is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to society. In her acceptance speech, she stated that being a judge is a noble profession that requires working toward equality and justice for everyone.