Last Updated on October 3, 2022 by BVN
Breanna Reeves |
Ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s term which is set to begin on Monday, Oct. 3, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson attended a ceremony on Friday where she was welcomed by sitting Supreme Court justices, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jackson was officially sworn into office on June 30, replacing Justice Stephen Breyer who had previously and formally submitted a letter, signaling his retirement. She was confirmed to the court in April in a 53-47 vote after undergoing rigorous confirmation hearings. She made history as the first Black woman and the sixth woman justice overall to serve on the nation’s highest court.
President Joe Biden attended the investiture ceremony for Associate Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday, September 30, 2022 (Via Twitter).
“Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has already brought uncompromising integrity, a strong moral compass, and courage to the Supreme Court. Today, we celebrate her formal investiture. This is a day for all Americans to be proud,” read a tweet from President Biden’s account.
In attendance at the ceremony were former justice Stephen Breyer, who Jackson clerked for, and Anthony Kennedy. Also in attendance were Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who delivered a passionate speech during Jackson’s confirmation hearing.
“You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American,” Booker said during Jackson’s confirmation back in March.
President Biden pledged to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court back in January and has done so with the confirmation of Jackson. Historically, Black women account for a small percent of federal judges at any level.
Left: “Mrs. Constance B. Motley, first woman Senator, 21st Senatorial District, N.Y., raising hand in V sign.” Photograph shows Constance Baker Motley making a victory sign two days after her election as the first African American woman to serve in the New York State Senate. Walter Albertin (World Telegram & Sun); restored by Adam Cuerden – Courtesy of the United States Library of Congress; Right: Judge Holly Thomas is the first Black woman to serve on the Ninth Circuit in CA. (source: ballopedia.org).
According to a Pew Research Center report released in February, only 70 of the 3,843 people — 2% — who ever served as federal judges in the U.S. have been Black women. The first Black woman ever to serve on the federal bench was Constance Baker Motley in 1966 who was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Since taking office, President Biden has nominated 13 Black women to be circuit court judges, eight of whom have been confirmed, including Judge Holly Thomas who became the first Black woman to serve on the Ninth Circuit from California.
