Ketanji Brown Jackson will start a new job on the U.S. Supreme Court this summer—and will make history in the process. Jackson will be the first Black female justice in the Court’s more than 200-year history.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation. It is made up of nine judges, called justices. They make important decisions on laws that affect the entire country.
When a justice dies or retires, it’s the president’s job to nominate someone to fill the position. On February 25, President Joe Biden selected Jackson to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who will be retiring this year.
To become a justice, the nominee has to be confirmed by the Senate. That process began in March, at hearings where senators asked Jackson about her career. On April 7, the Senate voted and approved Jackson’s nomination by a vote of 53 to 47.
Jackson grew up in Miami, Florida. Her parents were both teachers. But when she was in preschool, her father decided to go to law school. He inspired her to later do the same.
For the past nine years, Jackson has served as a federal judge in Washington, D.C. Before that, she was a public defender, representing people who needed a lawyer but couldn’t afford one.
Supreme Court justices can serve for life. So Jackson could influence the court's decisions for many years to come.
“Thank you for this historic chance to join the highest court, to work with brilliant colleagues, to inspire future generations, and to ensure liberty and justice for all,” Jackson said at the Senate hearings in March.