NEA celebrates the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate today voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the 116th associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. This decision, which received support from both Democratic and Republican senators, is a long-overdue milestone for our country where, for generations, Black women have been locked out of the opportunity to serve on the Supreme Court.

The 3-million-member National Education Association applauds today’s historic vote and the critical step it represents towards a Supreme Court that better reflects and respects the America it serves.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:

“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson not only represents the best of the legal profession, but her powerful lived experiences and unwavering commitment to equal justice reflect the best of America as a whole. A daughter of public-school teachers and a product of public schools herself, Judge Jackson’s story is the story of all of us who have overcome great obstacles in the pursuit of making our country a better, more equitable place for all. 

“While Judge Jackson will hold the profound distinction of being the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the land, her trailblazing career will undoubtedly inspire generations of young Black women, and Americans of all races and backgrounds, to realize their full potential and pursue their most ambitious dreams.

“All of us at the National Education Association are thankful for Judge Jackson’s service, and we — along with the 50 million students we serve — are eager to see the rest of her story unfold.”

Judge Jackson’s story is our story! Here is what NEA members are saying about this historic moment:

“I am bursting at the seams with joy about the product of public schools being nominated to the Supreme Court! The totality of Judge Jackson’s experience — the product of public schools, a public defender, a working mother — represents all of America.” —Marella McMillion-Holmes, special education social worker, Trenton, New Jersey

“The confirmation of Judge Jackson means that our judicial system will finally have representation from one of the most systematically exploited demographics in American history. This nomination and confirmation are significant steps in bending the moral arc of the universe towards justice.” —Winter Marshall-Allen, special education teacher, Homer, Alaska

“As a public school social studies teacher, this moment is a powerful reminder of the awesome opportunity that we have to help our students not only understand the significance of Judge Jackson’s nomination but also to let them know that just like it was for Judge Jackson sitting in her social studies class in a public school, everything is possible for them and we are here to help them every step of the way on their journey.” —Brady Shutt, social studies teacher, Iowa City, Iowa

Follow on Twitter at @NEAmedia and @BeckyPringle

Keep up with the conversation on social media at #JusticeJackson

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.