New York, NY – The Dominican Bar Association (“DBA”) issued the following statement following the Senate’s confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court of the United States.

After 233 years, Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman to sit in our nation’s highest court. As attorneys, we are all aware that the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court have historically established important legal precedents that have impacted the lives of all Americans. In recent years, we have all witnessed firsthand how important it is to have a balanced, fair and equitable Supreme Court. With many marginalized people, particularly communities of color, facing threats to voting rights, reproductive rights, and workers’ rights, among others, representation in our justice system matters now more than ever.

“We are deeply proud that young Black women can now see themselves in the highest court of our nation. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court bench shows more promise of reflecting the voices and experiences of our communities of color in the most important legal decisions of our future,” says Jamell Isidor, President of the DBA.

Judge Jackson is incredibly qualified and her legal career is a testament to the integrity she will bring to the bench. As evidenced by her time as a federal judge of the D.C. District Court, the U.S. Sentencing Commission and as a federal public defender, she has demonstrated a commitment to fairness, protecting the rights of all people, and in her own words, deciding cases “without fear and favor.” In addition to her experience, as the first Black woman to sit in the U.S. Supreme Court, she will contribute significant racial, gender and professional diversity to our nation’s highest court. As an organization which strives to support Latino/a members of the legal profession, particularly attorneys and law students of Dominican ancestry, in their pursuit of higher posts in the legal profession and other facets of influence in the U.S., we understand that a federal bench that reflects and appreciates the diversity of our nation is crucial for providing access and adequate representation to all Americans, especially the most vulnerable people in our society.

Today’s confirmation is a historic step toward a more representative justice system and an inspiration to future generations. We congratulate Judge Jackson on this important moment and look forward to her swearing-in ceremony.