Jolt Action

First Black female lawyer sworn in to nation’s highest court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 30, 2022

CONTACT: Christine Bolaños, [email protected] , 512-767-2978

Ketanji Brown Jackson made history when she was sworn in as the first Black female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States this afternoon. She previously served on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Justice Jackson replaces Justice Stephen Breyer who is retiring. 

Her addition to the Supreme Court will not change its ideological balance which sways conservative with a 6-to-3 majority. Justice Jackson joins at a time when many Americans believe it’s critical for the justice system to do its part to preserve democracy, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which ended the federal right to abortion and leaves it up to individual states to decide. 

“Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has been sworn in to the Supreme Court of the United States, making history as the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court, at a time when Americans and Texans feel their rights and dignity under attack,” said Christine Bolaños, Communications Director of Jolt Action. “Justice Jackson has a track record of defending vulnerable communities and holding the government accountable to its actions. We trust she will use her knowledge, experience and background to help inform and steer the Supreme Court in the right direction at a pivotal time for Civil Rights of all Americans.”

A ceremony to celebrate the confirmation was held at the White House on April 8, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in attendance, both who noted the historical significance of the moment. 

“It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, but we’ve made it,” Justice Jackson said at the time. “We’ve made it, all of us … and our children are telling me that they see now more than ever that here in America, anything is possible.”

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview, contact our Communications Team at [email protected] 

ABOUT JOLT ACTION

Founded in 2016, Jolt Action is a progressive civic engagement organization focused on building the political power and influence of young Latinos in Texas. 

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