initiative by President Barak Obama. The sacred role of the Supreme Court, ap- pointed for life, is divisive by nature, be- cause social and legal policies are long lasting. While filling her Senate Judicial questionnaire for the upcoming hearings, Judge Sotomayor wrote a tell tale of her Judicial temperament. She wrote that “Judges must be extraordinarily sensitive to the impact of their decisions and func- tion within and respectful of the Constitu- tion”.
What makes Sonya Sotomayor stand-
out, is in theory, not just her ethnic back- ground, but her passion for everything she touches. Many know quite well there are many Hispanic Judges throughout this great country. There are many other ethnic groups that are also well represented in the Judiciary. The milestone of the first to reach the pinnacle is to be noted and ap- preciated. This proud Puerto Ricana is no exception, to simply step aside, and reflect on her great accomplishment. Some may ask, what does it really matter what her ethnic back ground is? It does matter, con- sidering no woman in the 234 years of this great country has ever held the office of the presidency. Considering, 233 years later, we are seeing the first African Amer- ican President. Considering 234 years later we are seeing the first Hispanic American Supreme Court Justice. Indeed a proud moment in time for Women and the Hispanic Community as a whole. While the national focus was still on
our first African American as President. The new focus quickly became the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court. The years of languishing and waiting, came quickly and successively at a remarkable pace. Former Senator and now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came so close at be- ing historically the first Women President. Most now know, it is all but inevitable in our lifetime. Women now are at the fore- front of establishing policy and coming into their own right with the ascension of Sonya Sotomayor. As a “wise old Lati- na”, she once surmised, “that a wise old man, could not elevate themselves to the richness of her experience”. She maybe right, as whites could not easily empathize with African Americans, as their life ex- periences differed. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor differed on that very subject, because Judge O’Connor once cited that “wise old men and wise old women, can
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reach the same conclusions”. Judge Soto- mayor begged to differ, as it was an ex- ception, not the rule. Women judges dif- fer, like their male counterparts. Some see themselves as trail blazers, and their harsh verdicts reflect that. Some see them- selves, as righting the wrongs of the past,
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF DIVERSITY
with fairer decisions, and respect for the law. Celebrating her one year anniversary, this is where our newest female Justice, best feels comfortable. Comfortable in her gender, comfortable in her ethnic Latin background, comfortable as a proud American and how sweet it is!
PROFESSIONAL WOMAN’S MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 67
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