Today millions of women and girls will watch and listen as the historic confirmation hearings begin for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, nominated by President Barack Obama for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman ever to serve on the high court.
We fully expect the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask probing questions, meticulously interview witnesses, and examine Judge Sotomayor’s past decisions. Then we are confident the full Senate will confirm Judge Sotomayor enthusiastically, judiciously, and swiftly.
There is no denying that Judge Sotomayor is highly qualified to replace retiring Justice David Souter. Walking in the door, she has more judicial experience than any seated Supreme Court justice had prior to confirmation. She brings a lifelong commitment to equality, justice and opportunity, as well as the respect of her peers, unassailable integrity, and a keen intellect informed by experience. Judge Sotomayor will serve this nation with distinction.
It is also past time for the court to more closely reflect the population of this diverse country. The National Organization for Women echoes the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has said having only one woman on the court sends the wrong message about women’s roles in U.S. society. Canada’s Supreme Court, for example, has four women justices, including a female chief justice. We look forward to seeing Judge Sotomayor join Justice Ginsburg on the court by the first Monday in October, when the court’s term begins.
Media interested in interviewing NOW officers on the confirmation hearings of Judge Sotomayor on Monday, July 13, please contact NOW Press Secretary Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; 202-641-1906 (cell); or e-mail at press@now.org.
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