Sonia Sotomayor.
On August 8th, 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the third woman to serve the Court.
We wanted to recognize this #Womenwhoinspire after her birthday, being considered one of the most influential Latinas in the United States becoming one of the most relevant judicial voices in the country.
Who is behind Sotomayor?
A woman from a modest family from Puerto Rico who decides to move to the United States in search of better opportunities, passionate about the laws from an early age, adding the unconditional support from her mother, she decides to study at Princeton University, overwhelmed by this change she enrolls in English and writing classes to improve her academic level and improve her performance in the semester. She was also an active part of different Puerto Rican groups, which later she said, helped her find her roots in this new world.
Graduated with honors she continued her studies in Law beginning her professional work in Manhattan where she quickly made herself known. She also volunteered at different agencies linked to education and the economy, which immediately caught the attention of Senators Ted Kennedy and Daniel Moynihan. Finally, President George H.W. Bush nominated her as a district judge, being the youngest to hold the position.
Soon President Bill Clinton nominated her to the second circuit of judges, then reached the Senate. She simultaneously became a professor at New York University. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her to the Supreme Court, making her the first Latina woman to hold that position.
As we can see, she is a woman to admire not only for her passion for the laws but for her persistence in achieving dreams not only her own but also her family’s because remember that they decided to move in search of better opportunities and they got it, being one of the most recognized Latinas and known in this country, who lives daily a tireless struggle of thousands of Latino dreams that sometimes are crushed in the way and do not reach their goals.
Therefore, if you are as impressed by the story of this woman as I am, I invite you to learn more about her and to motivate the little ones with stories of value, stories that inspire you to be better and persist in the face of all adversity. Here I share some of the many books that have been written about it, being a message of hope for children, adolescents and adults.
My adored world.
With a candor and intimacy never before assumed by a sitting judge, Sonia chronicles her life's journey from Bronx projects to federal court in an inspiring celebration of her extraordinary determination and the power to believe in oneself.
Sonia Sotomayor: The judge who grew up in the Bronx
For ages 6 to 9, it is a bilingual illustrated book that tells the story of Justice Sotomayor's childhood in the Bronx, her stay at Princeton and her confirmation on the Supreme Court, paying special attention to the unwavering support she always received from her mother throughout her life. A set of beautiful illustrations capture the warmth and joy of Sotomayor's family and history.
Note: The biography includes a discussion about the racial background of your nomination and confirmation hearing.
Turning pages: The story of my life.
For ages 6 to 9, Sonia Sotomayor is an inspiration to young people from all over the world in the struggle to achieve their dreams. But what inspired her? The answer is: books! They were her mirror, her maps, her friends and her teachers. The books helped her connect with her family in New York and Puerto Rico, accept and understand the diagnosis of her diabetes, cope with her father's death, discover the secrets of the world, and dream of a future where anything is possible.