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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.