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For the first time in American history, a Black woman will be seated on the US Supreme Court. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the 116th Supreme Court Justice on Thursday (April 7), in a historic Senate Floor vote.
Justice Jackson, 51, was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Florida before attending Harvard University and the Harvard School of Law. She is the only Supreme Court Justice that has also served as a public defender. Last month, the mother of two endured 30 hours of questioning from Senators over the course of four days in a grueling series of confirmation hearings.
"Brilliant. Beloved. Belongs," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said describing Jackson in remarks ahead of the Floor vote.
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"This is a wonderful day, a joyous day and an inspiring day, for the Senate, for the Supreme Court and for the United States of America," Schumer said. This is also the first time in the Court's 200-year history that white males won't make up the majority on the bench.
Despite several Republicans publicly stating they would not be supporting Jackson, the newly-confirmed justice picked up some bipartisan support in the chamber's general Floor vote, clutching the confirmation in a 53-47 vote.
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After the historic confirmation, Judge Jackson won't be sworn in until after Justice Stephen Breyer officially retires, which is expected to be at the end of the Court's term this summer.
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