History was made when the first black female woman, Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed on April 7, 2022. 

She was confirmed by a vote of 53-47, earning three Republicans’ stamp of approval.

Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski showed a desire for warranted change despite political differences.

She will replace Justice Stephen Breyer when he retires at the end of the summer.

Loretto senior, Aurora Zepeda said, “I think that the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson is historic because she is the first Black woman to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court. 

I believe that this will greatly impact our future because it is showing young women of our generation that they are capable of doing anything they put their minds to. 

I also believe that it is a great step forward in our government that more women and minorities are being included. 

It shows that race, gender, and ethnicity shouldn’t be considered more greatly than the qualifications one possesses and the potential they have to do great things. 

It is a step in the right direction to help achieve equality and peace.”

Her speech at the White House honored the journey black women have been on for centuries.

“It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, but we’ve made it. We’ve made it. All of us.”

This was a victory and testament for all who have supported Black rights and have advocated for them.

Her confirmation on the nation’s highest court is a testament to black women in the legal field.

The first black lawyers, attorneys, and judges fought for this very moment.

“To refuse to qualified women and colored men the right of suffrage and still count them in the basis of representation is to add insult to injury as it is unreasonable.”

Words from a true hero who fought for women’s suffrage, Susan B. Anthony.

She inspired the women’s suffrage movement and her legacy lives on in the continued fight for gender equality.

Giving women the right to vote gave women a voice to campaign for equal rights, and some campaigned for higher positions. 

Loretto sophomore, Mia Montelongo said, “I think women getting the right to vote has inspired many women to stand up in today’s society. 

Women now have opportunities to have an opinion and play active roles in government. 

Ketanji Brown Jackson worked extremely hard to get the position she rightfully earned today and it all roots back to women having the ability to voice their opinions.

There are so many examples of women that paved the way for the history that occurred on April 7, 2022.

Ella Baker played a key role in the civil rights movement, starting with her co-founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to combat racism and prejudice nonviolently.

She then founded the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to encourage African-Americans to exercise their voting rights.

She believed in the “power of the people” and student involvement to not lean on others to end segregation. 

In 1981, fellow El Pasoan, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female justice to serve on the Supreme Court.

The decisions she’s helped make have reformed politics and the equal justice that all Americans are entitled to.

She was an avid advocate against gender discrimination and abortion rights.

These women have helped achieve the many rights gained by being proactive when most were passive.

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation has made such an impact on the world, and citizens are eager to see how she will reform the Court.