Women in politics
Image Credit: Yang, Maya. “Ketanji Brown Jackson: Who Is Biden’s Supreme Court Choice?” The Guardian, 25 Feb. 2022. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/25/ketanji-brown-jackson-joe-biden-supreme-court-choice.
Kentanji brown jackson
Cynthia Flores
For centuries, the political scene has been widely dominated by men. It’s created this harmful stereotype in which women do not belong in power, but instead are to play the nurturing role at home. However, now women are starting to become more prominent and continue to rise in the ranks of power.
Kentanji Brown Jackson is an American attorney currently serving as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals. Born in Washington, DC, Kentanji’s academic history is nothing short of impressive. Having attended one of the most prestigious colleges in the US, Kentanji has built a respectable reputation. She has attended both Harvard University and law school, graduating in 1992 with an AB and JD.
After law school, Kentanji began her career as a law clerk. From there, she built her experience and credibility in law through many different jobs ranging from working in private legal practice to an appellate specialist. In 2009, Kentanji was nominated by Barack Obama to become vice-chair of the United States Sentencing Commission. She would be confirmed unanimously and serve until 2014. Kentanji was later nominated again in 2012 by Barack Obama to the US District Court for the District of Columbia to which she would be confirmed by the full senate. Even in times of controversy, Kentanji’s reputation is strong and brings support from other people in power.
When it comes down to it, the Supreme Court has been majority white men. While things have certainly changed, it’d be ridiculous to dismiss Kentanji’s race as a potential interference in her confirmation. Despite her amazing record, it’s certain that because of her race and gender, she will be questioned about her abilities and qualifications more than any other candidate would. However, many still hold out hope as in the past, Republicans have voted and sided with Kentanji besides their obvious differences.
The Supreme Court’s confirmation hearing for Kentanji is set to begin on March 21, 2022. If Kentanji is not accepted in the courts, she has still made history by being the first black woman nominee for the Supreme Court. This would also not define or downplay her amazing reputation and skills in law. Regardless of the confirmation hearing outcome, Kentanji is a spectacular woman and will continue to be as she’s already made history.
Works Cited
“Biden Introduces Historic Nominee Jackson, Tapped to Be First Black Female Justice.” Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/25/biden-supreme-court-nominee-live-updates/.
Goldiner, Dave. “Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson Set to Kick off March 21.” Nydailynews.Com, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/us-elections-government/ny-supreme-court-nominee-ketanji-brown-jackson-confirmation-hearing-march-21-20220302-vugaro332bdrpg6ap2aygnla6q-story.html. Accessed 2 Mar. 2022.
Thomson-DeVeaux, Amelia. “How Racism And Sexism Could Define Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Confirmation Hearings.” FiveThirtyEight, 2 Mar. 2022, https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-racism-and-sexism-could-define-ketanji-brown-jacksons-confirmation-hearings/.
Image Credit: Sorkin, Amy Davidson. “Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Historic Nomination to the Supreme Court.” The New Yorker, Feb. 2022. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/judge-ketanji-brown-jacksons-historic-nomination-to-the-supreme-court.
Image credit: Carol Moseley Braun (1993) Courtesy U.S. Senate Historical Office
Carol Moseley Braun
Jalailah Pinkston
In the past century, women have been able to obtain positions of power for intense positions in politics. Though women are finding it a little less difficult to get into these positions, black women are much less likely to get into these spots. Carol Moseley Braun is one of few black women that have succeeded in a political position. Elected in 1993, Carol Moseley Braun became the first black woman to be a part of the U.S. Senate, breaking new ground and inspiring black women.
Carol Moseley Braun served in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999 as a Democrat from Illinois. Born in Chicago in 1947, Moseley Braun came of age during the civil rights movement and pursued a career in law. She became an Illinois state representative in 1977 and then served four years as Recorder of Deeds for Cook County, Illinois, the first African American elected to a Cook County executive position. In 1992 she defeated both the Democratic incumbent and the Republican challenger for a seat in the U.S. Senate, becoming the first black female senator from Illinois and to serve in the Senate.
As a senator, Moseley Braun sponsored progressive education bills and campaigned for gun control. In 1999 she became the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, a position she held until 2001. Carol Moseley-Braun worked for three years as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office. Her success as a prosecutor earned her the United States Attorney General's Special Achievement Award. Then, in 1978, Moseley-Braun was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, where she immediately earned a reputation as a stateswoman. Her legislative past has been her ability to build coalitions composed of people of all races who are committed to the same principles of efficient government. During her first election for State Representative, Carol Moseley-Braun pledged to make education her top priority. She was the chief sponsor of the 1985 Urban School Improvement Act, which created parents' councils at every school in Chicago. Other education legislation sponsored by Moseley-Braun included a 1980 bill that provided higher salaries for teachers and professors. After only two terms in the House, Carol Moseley-Braun was selected to become the first woman and the first African American in Illinois history to serve as Assistant Majority Leader.
Carol Moseley Braun is a very admirable politician and still is to this day. She is an exceptional inspiration to so many different women of different backgrounds. Thanks to her groundbreaking excellence in the field of politics, Carol Moseley Braun has created an honorable legacy for herself.
Image credit: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-rush-moseley-braun-chicago-inc-20180314-story.html
Image credit: https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/26/us/carol-moseley-braun-fast-facts/index.html
Works Cited
CNN (2019, Aug. 3). Carol Moseley Braun Fast Facts. Retrieved on Feb. 18, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/26/us/carol-moseley-braun-fast-facts/index.html.
United States House of Representatives. Moseley Braun, Carol. Retrieved on Feb. 18, 2020, from https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/M/MOSELEY-BRAUN,-Carol-(M001025)/ .
United States Senate. Carol Moseley Braun: A Featured Biography. Retrieved on Feb. 18, 2020 from https://www.senate.gov/senators/FeaturedBios/Featured_Bio_Moseley_Braun.htm.