Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed as Associate Justice on U.S. Supreme Court

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history last week, as the Senate confirmed her nomination to the Supreme Court Thursday, paving the way for her to become the first Black woman to sit on the nation’s high court.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “an even greater moment for America as we rise to a more perfect union” just before the 53-47 bipartisan vote. Jackson watched the Senate vote at the White House with Biden and her family and celebrated the next day at the White House.

“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,” Jackson says. “We’ve made it—all of us. All of us. And our children are telling me that they see now more than ever that here in America, anything is possible.”

Jackson’s confirmation sparked an abundance of conversations around the country, including a Thursday statement from GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization.

“LGBTQ rights are under attack all across this country, and today’s confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court is a critical step to ensure our hard-won progress is not reversed by those using the courts to fight outdated culture wars,” says GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Judge Jackson’s experience and judicial temperament will make her one of the most qualified justices ever to serve on the Court. GLAAD congratulates Judge Jackson and our entire nation on this historic and long overdue representation.”

Colorado Representative Diana DeGette also released a statement after the Senate voted to confirm Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“This is an important moment for our country,” DeGette says. “For the first time in our nation’s history, white men will no longer be the majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. For the first time, we will have four women serving on the bench—including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will be the first Black woman to ever serve on the highest court in our land. This is what progress looks like.”

DeGette continues, pointing to Jackson as one of the most qualified justices ever nominated to serve on the Supreme Court.

“Through her talent and intellect, she blazed a trail that many in this country thought was impossible less than a century ago. She deserves all the credit in the world for what she has just achieved,” DeGette says.

Congratulations to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson!