History is made: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman on the US Supreme Court

On April 7, 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the US Supreme Court. She has made history as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court in its 233-year history. Most acknowledge the significance of this feat, but for some, it means more than others could ever know. Young Black women will see themselves represented on the Supreme Court for the first time.

Samiyah Williams, a 16-year-old high school student, tells CNN, “My dreams have just gotten so much bigger, it seems like overnight,” regarding Judge Jackson’s nomination. Williams spoke at an event organized by Black women on the steps of the Supreme Court. She read a letter, “I see myself in you,” she says, “I appreciate that you have a name that people must take their time to pronounce. I appreciate the tight coils in your locs that rhyme with mine, in my braids. I am fueled knowing that the journey it took to get to this place has many similarities to the one I am on right now as a 16-year-old.”

Black women existing in these spaces has been a long time coming. According to the American Bar Association, African-Americans only made up 5% of lawyers in the United States in 2021. Now, with the addition of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, young Black girls can know that they can achieve whatever they set their mind to. 5-year-old Malia Jackson was brought to the rally by her mother, Lauryl Jackson, who said she wanted Malia to see that “these things are possible.” “My youngest daughter actually was asked to do something for career day, and she selected a judge. And I think that’s due to the news of Judge Jackson,” she continued.

At the confirmation vote, Vice President Harris called Senators Cory Booker and Raphael Warnock, the only two black democrats in the senate. They came up to the podium and the Vice President told them she wanted them to each write a letter to a young Black woman in their life. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia wrote his letter to his daughter, Chloé. He shared the note on Twitter:

Dear Chloé,

Today, we confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. In our nation’s history, she is the first Supreme Court Justice who looks like you- with hair like yours. While we were voting on the floor of the senate, a friend of mine – the Vice President of the United States handed me this piece of paper and suggested I write a note to someone who comes to mind. By the way, she is the first Vice President who also looks like you! So, I wrote this note to say you can be anything, achieve anything you set your head and heart to do.

Love you!

Dad

Senator Raphael Warnock’s letter to his daughter

Ketanji Brown Jackson is a source of inspiration and motivation to many. She serves as a living representation for the world to see Black women achieve things they were previously excluded from. Her confirmation is an amazing moment in history, Samiya Jackson’s mother, Sabriya comments; “The nomination and ultimate confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson brings us one step closer to having all of the spaces represent the America that we live in. Today we are celebrating the first knowing that she will not be the last.”