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Sonia Sotomayor: The Trailblazing Supreme Court Justice

Craig Carter

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Sonia Sotomayor has made history as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. Her journey to the nation's highest court has been marked by both challenges and triumphs, but throughout it all, she has remained a steadfast advocate for equality and justice.

Sonia Sotomayor: Supreme Court Justice

by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1236 KB
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	48 pages

Early Life and Education

Sonia Sotomayor was born on June 25, 1954, in the Bronx, New York City. Her parents were Puerto Rican immigrants who worked hard to provide a better life for their daughter.

Sotomayor attended public schools in the Bronx and excelled academically. She went on to study at Princeton University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in history. She then earned a law degree from Yale Law School, where she was a member of the prestigious Yale Law Journal.

Legal Career

After graduating from law school, Sotomayor clerked for Judge Robert Bork of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and then for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor of the Supreme Court.

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush appointed Sotomayor to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She served on the district court for seven years before being nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by President Bill Clinton.

Supreme Court Justice

In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 68-31.

As a Supreme Court justice, Sotomayor has written important opinions on a wide range of issues, including affirmative action, criminal justice, and voting rights.

Sotomayor has also been an outspoken advocate for diversity on the bench. She has said that the "experience of women and people of color adds to the richness of the Court's deliberations" and that "a diverse judiciary is more likely to reflect the values of the American people."

Legacy

Sonia Sotomayor has had a profound impact on American law and society. She is a role model for young people, especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds. She is also a powerful voice for equality and justice.

Sotomayor's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. She is a true trailblazer who has made a lasting mark on the Supreme Court and the nation as a whole.