Black women at Harvard Law celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Dozens of students gathered for a watch party to celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will now be the next Supreme Court Justice.

It was hosted by the school’s student government, Black Student Law Association, and Women’s Law Association, with support from the school’s dean of students office.

“I’m delighted that Judge Jackson has been confirmed to the Supreme Court,” said John F. Manning, Morgan and Helen Chu Dean and Professor of Law. “She brings great wisdom and judgment to her new role and will make terrific contributions to the important work of the Court.”

The moment in history celebrated on the Harvard law campus that helped mold her, and all over the world.

“I was almost in tears,” said Harvard fellow Felice León. I got a barrage of text messages. My mother, a black woman blowing me up and she said she said ‘We made it, she’s gone through.’ I was elated. Thank you for your courage, for your grace, for your authenticity, for representing us, thank you.”

“Not only do I have a role model but everyone has a representation of a black woman who is just brilliant, super intelligent, super kind, and motivated, and able to accomplish and achieve one of the highest honors in the country,” said Harvard freshman Nahla Owens. “It is insane and I think the combination of that with the new wave of women of color being elected to Congress and having Kamala Harris in the White House is just, it’s a historic moment.

These black female students say they are especially inspired to follow in the footsteps of the first Black female, and the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas.

“Especially considering all of the controversies with Anita Hill and those hearings and just seeing how black women have been portrayed in media before this moment as being aggressive or not worthy or unintelligent,” said Owens. “I’ve definitely stepped into rooms myself where those were the perceptions. People were surprised when I opened my mouth and I was able to speak I guess eloquent sentences.”

With the 53-47 vote, Judge Brown-Jackson will take her seat when Justice Stephen Breyer retires this summer.

[ Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed to the Supreme Court on 53-47 vote ]

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