The Triumph of Education: Sonia Sotomayor and her rise to Supreme Court Justice

Abstract

Sonia Sotomayor exemplified how education is the conduit to high achievement and accomplishment in society. This paper discusses her path to becoming Supreme Court Justice, starting with her modest upbringing in the Bronx, then to Ivy League higher education, and then to a stunning legal career. Her life illustrates how a person can conquer barriers that can come from poverty, ethnicity, and gender. In 2009, Sotomayor became the first Latina appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Her academic preparation and court experience were critical tools for achieving this prestigious position. Sotomayor has become a role model, inspiration, and symbol for many Americans nationwide. She is known for her outspoken advocacy for the Puerto Rican-American community and the Hispanic community at large. Justice Sotomayor is known for being the first Latina and the third woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She has also ruled with the majority on two landmark cases: one that upheld the Affordable Care Act and the other that legalized same-sex marriage.