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"Lovely One:" Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson’s Nomination Gives Us Hope

By Brett Thomas, Cohen & Malad LLP

Two hundred thirty-two years, five months and four days: This represents the amount of time it has taken for a Black woman to be nominated to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States. America’s highest court was established under Article III of the United States Constitution; however, it did not take shape until the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed on September 24, 1789. Since that time, 165 people have been nominated to serve on the court and 127 people have been confirmed, the majority of which are white men. Only two Black men (Thurgood Marshall and Clarance Thomas) and one Latin American woman (Sonia Sotomayor) have been previously nominated and confirmed.  

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic nomination is the culmination of a distinguished legal career built on hard work, dedication and public service. In a broader perspective, her nomination is the product of hundreds of years’ worth of Black women’s strength, sacrifice and unwavering perseverance, even when the challenges seemed insurmountable. Judge Brown Jackson stands on the shoulders of those who helped pave the way like Jane Bolin, Pauli Murray and Constance Baker Motley.

Judge Brown Jackson’s parents named her Ketanji Onyika which means "lovely one" to "express both pride in their heritage and hope for the future." At her confirmation hearing, her parents were beaming with pride. While the country still has a long way to go, Judge Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States should give us hope for the future and motivation to keep working toward a more just, diverse and equitable America.  

Sources
United States Court of Appeals District of Columbia Website
United States Courts Website
Supreme Court of the United States Website
United States Senate Website
Biography Website
Wikipedia

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