URGE CELEBRATES CONFIRMATION OF JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON AS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
April 7, 2022
Kwentoria A. Williams
kwwilliams@urge.org
WASHINGTON – Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity celebrates the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, making her the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States with a 53-47 vote. Over the past several weeks, the world has learned about Jackson’s extraordinary qualifications, character, and values. With her diverse experience, we are confident that she will bring tremendous knowledge and much needed fresh insight to the Court. Since President Biden announced her nomination, we have been heartened by the outpouring of support for Jackson from individuals and organizations across the country.
“This nomination is a monumental day in the history of the United States. Despite partisan attacks riddled in misogynoir, our next Associate Justice has overcome yet another hurdle that the legal profession placed in her path,” says Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director at URGE. “While we acknowledge the blatant disrespect that Jackson faced throughout her confirmation hearing, we do applaud certain notable Senators for highlighting the important history around this nomination and commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for ensuring a timely confirmation process.”
“As a child who aspired to pursue a career as an attorney, I did not dream of being President; I dreamed of sitting on the Supreme Court,” says Desireé Luckey, Director of Policy at URGE. “It is beyond exciting to see Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson show me, and millions of other little Black girls, our dreams can be a reality.”
“We’ve waited more than 230 years to see ourselves in this space. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation fills me with pride,” says Hope Jackson, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy at URGE. “Black women jurists like myself have read hundreds of SCOTUS opinions, and for the first time, we’ll read an opinion and interpretation of the law written and based on the experiences of a Black woman. That feels incredibly empowering for Black women everywhere.”
We know that in the coming months, there will continue to be threats to our bodily autonomy, abortion access, voting rights, and immigrant communities, and the Supreme Court will face opportunities where they must decide between protecting our rights or undermining them.
These are issues that will affect young people now, and in the years to come, which is why it is critical that our judiciary works to ensure the most marginalized are centered in the pursuit of justice. While the ideological composition of the Court may not change with this appointment, this is one step on the journey to better demonstrate the diversity of our country. It is our hope that Justice Jackson will continue her commitment to equality for all. We look forward to celebrating her official installation later this year and to the outstanding service that we trust she will provide during her tenure.
