Good News!

In this informational article, Pooja Patel discusses a few good news pieces from around the world and moments of joy that will surely make you smile. Keep reading to learn more!

Good News

By Pooja Patel

Welcome back, Scroll readers, and happy May! As you know, another month means another set of good news to add a little bit of joy to your life as we are nearing summer and all of the exciting upcoming events. This month’s article brings you information about history-making achievements by women across the world and an extremely heartwarming Peptoc hotline created by kindergartners that you can try out yourself! Keep reading to see what this month of May brings to us all!

Photo credit: CNBC

the Supreme Court gained its first black female judge!

The first piece of good news is that America’s Supreme court confirmed the first Black woman, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, to serve on the nation’s high courts. This moment is a huge step towards progress in our nation. Justice can only be served when justices look like and represent the population that makes up America. According to The New York Times, “ The Senate on Thursday confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman to be elevated to the pinnacle of the judicial branch… bringing new diversity and life experience to the court.”

Judge Jackson was confirmed on 53 to 47 votes, including three Republicans who joined the 50 members of the Democratic caucus. In response to this confirmation, joy from minorities erupted in the celebration of this win for equal representation in our country. Nia Jolly, who is a second-year law student in Louisville, stated, “This is a great day for Black women in the law and encouraging for Black women trying to make progress everywhere,” according to The New York Times. Nia Jolly could not have said this any better. This was a bright moment for women of color and Judge Jackson proved that women belong where decisions are made, especially where justice is being served. Another law student named Stephani Goggans proceeded to say that “I can look at the highest court in the country -- a country I would give my life for and see a face that looks like mine.” This powerful statement made shows how so many people in America felt a sense of being part of our justice system when they saw the first Black woman serve on the high court. In the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, she stated, “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! We’ve made it -- all of us,” per NPR. Judge Jackson has reinforced the feeling of being represented for all women in the country and especially women of color that they are seen and heard.

The first latina female to serve on california's supreme court!

The next piece of good news is another huge win for women, especially for the Latina women population, as Judge Patricia Guerrero was confirmed and the first Latina on the California Supreme Court. Judge Guerrero was approved by a 3 to 0 vote of the Commission on Judicial Apportionment to fill a vacancy. Per NPR, Guerrero said, “I am here because of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of my parents and my grandparent who, like so many others, came to this country with the hope of a brighter future for their children.”

Photo credit: NBC News

Guerrero is a daughter of immigrants, who moved to the Imperial Valley region from Mexico. She got her law degree from Stanford Law School in 1997, being a first-generation Latina justice. Guerrero’s role in the justice system further proves that representation matters. She is an example of her parents' American Dream. Immigrants come to America with the hope of giving a better future to their children and their future generations. The hard work and dedication that Judge Guerrero’s parents put in and the work that she did to get to this position as a Latina woman are applauded. This joyful occasion included a very powerful statement made by her: “She said she stood on the shoulders of her grandparents and parents who immigrated from Mexico to give their children a better life.” America is progressing towards an equal and better-representing nation, slowly but surely.

Photo Credit: Arab News

Egypt's first female judge in court!

Another piece of good news is that Egypt gained its first female judge, Radwa Helmy, to chair a hearing in Egypt’s top court. According to Jurist, there has not been a single female judge on its bench since the creation of the court in 1946. The council opposed nominations of women. But President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi “appointed 98 female judges. Justice Helmy was the first to take a seat on the dais”, per Jurist.

The judiciary in Egypt has been male-dominated for a long time and women have been not given any leadership authority in the top court of the country. However, Judge Radwa Helmy made history by being the first female judge to preside over a case in Egypt. Taha Karsoua, who is the vice president of the state council, called this action “a dear gift for women in Egypt” per Women’s Agenda. Further on, in Egypt, only 0.5 percent of all judges are made of female judges. Women have been fighting a long battle to gain equal status in Egypt, and Radwa Helmi has won one of the battles by making history. Helmy delivered a message to Egyptian girls: “Do not abandon your dreams. The world is changing, and it is necessary to work on self-development, which will open doors to distinguished titles and show the ingenuity and capabilities of women”, per Arab News. When Helmy said that the world is changing, she spoke nothing but the truth. The world is, indeed, changing. With that, women’s power and confidence are helping Egypt to progress towards a time in the future where women and little girls can freely dream to be who they want.

Peptoc hotline created by kindergartners for you!

The last piece of news that I have for you is going to warm your heart and brighten up your day. Kindergartners from West Side Elementary in the town of Healdsburg, California, helped create a free hotline called Peptoc, where individuals can call and press from their menu of options to hear encouraging words and advice from these kindergartners.

Photo Credit: Washington Post

Their teachers, Jessica Martin and Asherah Weiss, helped them put this hotline together and Martin said that she was “inspired by her students’ positive attitudes, despite all they’ve been through -- the pandemic, wildfires in the legion, and just the everyday challenges of being a kid”, per NPR. After having a long day or handling all the news in the world today, everyone needs a little advice and pep talk, and who wants to miss out on hearing little kindergartners delivering these messages? After this hotline was launched, the kindergartners were receiving up to 700 callers per hour, according to NPR. Their menu options include words of encouragement, life advice, pep talk, encouragement in Spanish and, if you are ever feeling mad, frustrated, or nervous, then they also have an option for that. During these tough times, these children are adding light to the world and brightening up so many people’s days with their words of encouragement. Next time you feel yourself having a rough day or simply want to hear positive affirmations, dial Peptoc at 707-998-8410. Also, if you would like to help support the hotline fees for the program, there is a site to donate and any surplus fund will go toward their school’s enrichment programs.

Well, that's all I have for you readers. It can be empowering to read about the accomplishments that women are making around the world. Our world is surely progressing in the right direction and the justice system is looking bright. The encouraging words of amazing kindergartners are adding light to the world. I hope this month’s issue brought good news to you and happiness to your day. See you next month with a new article and more good news. Happy May!

SOURCES:

https://www.westsideusd.org (Donation site for Peptoc)

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