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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 6, 2022)
Page 6 July 06. 2022 Seated on Supreme Court Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to become a Supreme Court justice, poses for a portrait last February ahead of her confirmation. Jackson officially began her duties on Thursday, replacing Justice Stephen Breyer who retired. ( AP photo) Journey begins for first Black woman to serve (AP) — Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the Supreme Court on Thurs- day, shattering a glass ceiling as the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court. The 51-year-old Jackson is the court’s 116th justice, and she took the place of the justice she once worked for. Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement was effec- tive at noon. Moments later, joined by her family, Jackson recited the two oaths required of Supreme Court justices, one admin- istered by Breyer and the other by Chief Justice John Roberts. “With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defend- ing the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the court. “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great Nation. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of my new colleagues for their warm and gracious welcome.” Roberts welcomed Jackson “to the court and our common calling.” The cer- emony was streamed live on the court’s website. All the justices except for Neil Gorsuch attended the swearing-in, the court said. There was no immediate ex- planation for Gorsuch’s absence. Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, is joining three other women — Jus- tices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett. It’s the first time four women will serve together on the nine-member court. “Her historic swearing in today rep- resents a profound step forward for our nation, for all the young, Black girls who now see themselves reflected on our highest court, and for all of us as Americans,” President Joe Biden said in a statement after he returned from a trip to Europe. He also thanked Breyer “for his many years of exemplary service.” Biden nominated Jackson in Febru- ary, a month after Breyer, 83, announced he would retire at the end of the court’s term, assuming his successor had been confirmed. Breyer’s earlier-than-usual announcement and the condition he at- tached was a recognition of the Demo- crats’ tenuous hold on the Senate in an era of hyper-partisanship, especially sur- rounding federal judgeships. The Senate confirmed Jackson’s nom- ination in early April, by a 53-47 most- ly party-line vote that included support from three Republicans. Jackson had been in a sort of judi- cial limbo since, remaining a judge on the federal appeals court in Washing- ton, D.C., but not hearing any cases. Biden elevated her to that court from the district judgeship to which she was appointed by President Barack Obama. Glynda Carr, president of Higher Heights for America, an organization that advocates for the growth of Black wom- en’s political power, said the timing of Jackson’s swearing-in was bittersweet. “Although we celebrate her today, one Black woman or a cohort of Black wom- en can’t save this democracy alone. We are a piece of it and we are doing our work, our part. She’s going to forever re- shape and shape that court. But she’s just a piece of the work that needs to happen moving forward,” Carr said. Jackson will be able to begin work immediately, but the court will have just finished the bulk of its work until the fall, apart from emergency appeals that occasionally arise. That will give her time to settle in and familiarize herself with the roughly two dozen cases the court already has agreed to hear starting in October as well as hundreds of ap- peals that will pile up over the summer. She helps form the most diverse court in its 232-year history and is the first former public defender to be a justice.
