2009 is starting out to be a good year for leadership of color. First Obama is officially signed into office then we get great new leadership on the Obama Administration such as First African-American Head of EPA Lisa Jackson, First African-American Attorney General, Eric Holder, and now first Latina nominated to be a Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor.
Sotomayor was raised in the projects of the South Bronx and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University and attended Yale Law School (like OBAMA!). The Washington Post states that Sotomayor has drawn some controversy by saying judges' legal findings are informed by their own life experiences as well as their legal research. The South Bronx is also the home of legendary Rapper KRS-One and Environmental Justice Organization Sustainable South Bronx, founded by internationally-known environmental justice activist Majora Carter.
Supporters like Barack Obama appreciate that Sotomayor can look back on her experiences and judge from the perspective of not just a judge who knows the law but also a judge's whose view of the world and the judicial system is broaden by her working class, first-generation upbringing. Obama stated,"Walking in the door, she would bring more experience on the bench and more varied experience on the bench than anyone currently serving on the United States Supreme Court had when they were appointed."
If appointed to the Supreme Court she will be the first Latino and third women to serve in the distinguished position.
Watch this video to see Obama's speech nominating Sotomayor:
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