Ketanji Brown Jackson is a trailblazer in the American legal system, making history as the first African-American woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
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. Born on September 14, 1970, in Washington, D.C., and raised in Miami, Florida, Ketanji’s journey to the highest court in the land is a testament to her dedication, intellect, and perseverance
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Ketanji’s parents, Johnny and Ellery Brown, were both educators who instilled in her the value of hard work and education
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. Her father attended the University of Miami School of Law, and her mother was a principal at the New World School of the Arts in Miami
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. Ketanji excelled in school, becoming class president and a star in speech and debate competitions
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. She attended Harvard University, where she met her future husband, Patrick Graves Jackson
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. They married in 1996 and have two daughters, Leila and Talia
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Ketanji’s legal career began with prestigious federal clerkships, including one for Justice Stephen Breyer, whose seat she later assumed on the Supreme Court
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. She served as a vice chairwoman of the United States Sentencing Commission from 2010 to 2014 and was appointed by President Barack Obama to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in 2013
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. President Joe Biden nominated her to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2021, and she was confirmed with bipartisan support
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In 2022, President Biden nominated Ketanji to the Supreme Court to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced his retirement
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. Her confirmation was historic, not only because she is the first Black woman on the court but also because she is the first former federal public defender to serve as a justice
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. Ketanji was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn into office on June 30, 2022
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Ketanji’s presence on the Supreme Court is significant for many reasons. She brings a unique perspective to the court, having worked as a public defender and having served on the sentencing commission
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. Her rulings and opinions reflect her commitment to equal justice under the law and her understanding of the impact that the court’s decisions have on the lives of everyday Americans
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Ketanji’s journey is an inspiration to many, especially young women and people of color who aspire to careers in law and public service. Her story is a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to justice, it is possible to break barriers and achieve great things.
For more information, you can watch this YouTube video about Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic confirmation and her impact on the Supreme Court.
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en.wikipedia.org
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www.britannica.com
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Tuko
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bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov