Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has gone into history books as the first black woman to serve in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Ketanji, 51, who first worked as an editor for the Harvard review, began her career with three clerkships among them Justice Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court.
Her confirmation comes a few weeks after being nominated by President Joe Biden on Feb 25, 2022.
The Harvard University alumnus worked as the Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission from February 12, 2010 to December 2014.
Like so many of you, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and joy to know that this deserving, accomplished black woman will be a part of the highest court in the land
Michelle Obama
During her tenure, she amended the Sentencing Guidelines to reduce the guideline range for crack cocaine offenses and saw the implementation of a two offense-level reduction for drug crimes.
Confirmation
Ketanji has worked as a federal judge of the United States Court of appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The Supreme Court judge was confirmed on April 7, 2022 with a vote of 53 to 47 in favour of her nomination.
Ketanji has been hailed by the US former first lady Michelle Obama as an accomplished deserving woman judge.
“Like so many of you, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and joy to know that this deserving, accomplished black woman will be a part of the highest court in the land,” elated Michelle wrote.
Kenyan Chief Justice Martha Koome applauded Ketanji as a strong woman who surpassed the societal barriers to create history.
“I deeply recognize that when barriers fall, societies become stronger. I wish Judge Ketanji a very successful tenure on the Court,” commented Koome.
Justice Ketanji is set to succeed Justice Breyer upon his retirement in June, sealing the made history.
