53-47

53-47. A historic vote on a key figure in history. Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first black woman to be nominated, let alone confirmed, for the supreme court in United States history.  Her narrow confirmation is one of the most partisanized in history. For instance, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was confirmed 29 years ago with a 96-3 vote. 

Ketanji Brown Jackson has a unique view she will be bringing to the table. She will be one of the few justices who have spent most of their career in justice working as a public defendant, only spending three years in private practice.  Another view Ketanji Brown Jackson is bringing to the table is her perspective of being one of only six women (Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett, and now Ketanji Brown Jackson), and one of only four people of color (Thurgood Marshall, Clarence Thomas, and Ketanji Brown Jackson [black], Sonia Sotomayor [Hispanic]) to serve on the supreme court.  Ketanji Brown Jackson told ABC News, “Girls I know it has not been easy… but I hope that you see with hard work, determination, and love, it can be done.”

Ketanji Brown Jackson intends on paving the way for women, specifically black women, to have a path to break the “glass ceiling.” This term is referred to by many women who have run on the federal level, and talked about in women’s political activism, for rights and equality.  She also teaches her two daughters, Taila and Leila Jackson,  that equality is crucial, as well as respect. She says, “I teach my children to approach the world with a grateful spirit. We don’t look down on or talk down to others, and we show respect to all of mankind.” 

She has a passion for justice and believes no one is above the law, while still having an open mind and thinking about what she believes is right, not just for one type of person, but what is best for the country as a whole. 

“Be open to new ideas and experiences because you’ll never know when someone else will have an interesting thought or when a new door will open to take you on the journey of your dreams.” 

-Kentaji Brown Jackson.