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Rosemary Northia
Commemorative Speech
Winter 2016 Semester
Sonia Sotomayor: Supreme Court Justice
(I am a John Jay College student who is giving a speech on Sonia Sotomayor for her efforts in
achieving a position in the Supreme Court Justice and addressing other momentous milestones
leading up to this moment)
Good Afternoon John Jay; students, faculty, and distinguished guests.
Good Afternoon Criminal Justice Advocates.
Today, I am proud at honoring and commemorating the life and service of Sonia Sotomayor.
Nominated by President Barack Obama on May 26, 2009, Sonia is the first Latin American
Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history.
I am honored at presenting the achievements of this great political figure, here at John Jay’s very
own Gerald W. Lynch Theater; where performing arts programming of all disciplines shed light
on the many perceptions of justice in our society. John Jay is a place where scholars come to
study the many facets and dimensions of crime and justice.
I, myself, am currently a graduate student in the Criminal Justice field and have a deep interest in
criminal law. I plan to pursue my ambitions to the fullest knowing that hard work does payoff.
Sonia, being a prime example for all scholars to tear down the wall of stigmas.
Today, we will be looking at Sonia’s honorary moments and characteristics throughout her
career. Momentous occasions that have aided her to reach the Supreme Court Justice. With the
odds against her; struggles and disappointments along the way, she still managed to overcome.
BACKGROUND
Sonia, born in New York City’s South Bronx on June 25th, 1954, was part of a family of two
younger siblings and a single mother. Her father passing away while Sonia was only 9 years old.
With a mother determined to have her children succeed at the “American Dream,” Sonia was
raised in a strict all-typical Puerto Rican home. Born and raised in one of NYC’s housing
developments, yes indeed a place where people refer to as the Bronx Slums, Sonia stayed focus
and worked hard in achieving good grades. In addition to that, Sonia was given household and
adult responsibilities at a very young age. Her mother, a full time nurse worked long hours to put
food on the table; as most single parents do.
Sonia was not shaken by her family’s financial circumstances or the death of her alcoholic father.
Instead she pressed on in remarkable excellence.
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EDUCATION
Eager to go to college, Sonia began her merited college education at Princeton University in
1972. This was her first honorable achievement that would set the standard for what was yet to
come. In recent, Sonia has described herself as “the perfect affirmative action baby.” “It is fitting
that she was born shortly after this landmark ruling in favor of educational equality.”
It was at Princeton that she got a rude awakening of a culture she had never been exposed to or
heard about in the Bronx. All she knew was that she got into a “Ivy League” college.
Understanding very little what that actually meant, she pressed on.
As a way of coping with the “new world ,” which was completely different to anything her first
generation immigrant mother had taught her, Sonia began to join Puerto Rican groups on
campus. These groups became Sonia’s escape and support from such a different culture and
atmosphere. In retrospect, Sonia now attributes those difficult days of being the odd ball as a
silver lining. I quote, “When everyone at school is speaking one language, and a lot of your
classmates' parents also speak it, and you go home and see that your community is different there is a sense of shame attached to that. It really takes growing up to treasure the specialness of
being different.”
To become better acquainted with the style and language, she also spent long hours at the
Writing Center. Here she perfected her English grammar.
As a means for money, while in college, Sonia joined the university's discipline committee. It
was here, surrounded by all types of lawyers, where she was reeled into the world of law. A
world she had never really tasted until then.
In 1976, Sonia earned her BA degree with exceptional scores. This was her second honorary
moment. She earned the highest-level honors an undergraduate student could earn; the summa
cum laude. If getting into Princeton wasn’t a rewarding accomplishment in and of itself and
graduating with distinction, she decided to pursue her passion in law at Yale University. Making
this her third honorary moment. This time around, Sonia had already learned the ropes of what
was expected of her.
In Sonia’s autobiography, “My Beloved World” she explains that her education at the Ivy
League’s was not an easy couple of years, especially away from her entire family and lets not
forget her mother’s home cooking which she could not find at arms reach in Princeton or at New
Haven. This troubled her dearly. Among other culture clashes, she tells the stories of how she
never really fit in. This of course, didn’t stop her from graduating with her fourth memorable
milestone, a J.D. in 1979.
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Now, if getting into Yale Law and graduating wasn’t impressive enough, Sonia took the bar
examine immediately after and past with flying colors. Five very large mountains to move in
such little time.
As a newly graduated Lawyer, Sonia knew that now was the time to put to practice everything
she had learned.
While many of her fellow classmates were receiving offers at prestigious law firms (offers from
family connections), Sonia was not. Did she come all this way for nothing? No, she didn’t.
CAREER
Sonia was soon given the opportunity to start her career as an Assistant District Attorney in the
New York County District. She stayed here until 1984; marking this her first career orientated
honorable achievement. This is where Sonia developed her law skills and yes Sonia was a natural
at it.
Although she lost her first case as a trial attorney, Sonia dove head over heels in all her cases in
order to enhance her arguments in front of the Judge. She did not allow for this minor failure and
this let down to cloud her future.
After several years in practice related to cases of violent crimes, Sonia’s next step in climbing
the ladder arrived at her chance to litigate international commercial matters in New York City. A
breathe of fresh air for Sonia. In 1988, she achieved partner status.
During the same time, Sonia served on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and
Education Fund, the New York City Campaign Finance Board, and on the State of New York
Mortgage Agency. Sonia’s Pro Bono work at these organizations highlighted her abilities and
care for justice.
Due to her impressive profile, “In 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated her to the U.S.
District Court, Southern District of New York, and she served in that role until 1998.”
At this time, she was promoted to the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, where she served as
a judge for nearly 10 years.
Sonia’s jaw dropping life has not always been an easy slope, yet she has proven that anything is
possible with hard work. So, if that wasn’t an impressive bio already, I am happy to point out
that Sonia’s achievement do not stop there.
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The most recent achievements are what I constitute as her greatest honorary moments, which has
vividly displayed Sonia’s capabilities. In May 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her as
an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Four months later, she assumed this role.
In this short time, Sonia has already been part of memorable decisions in U.S. history:
- In 2010, she was part of the majority decision in the Affordable Care Act, also known as
ObamaCare, which she is said to have been a instrumental leader in this decision.
- In 2015, she was part of the majority ruling, which marked the historic event of legalizing same
sex marriage in all 50 states.
Values
It is without a doubt in my mind and I hope in yours too, that Sonia is exemplary. I am reminded
of a Martin Luther King Jr. quote that says, “The function of education is to teach one to think
intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.”
This quote prompts the idea that in addition to having thrived in education, character is what
brings the fruits of education to a full circle.
Sonia’s milestones and accomplishments have been achieved with a splash of her own style and
character. She is often said to be misunderstood among the other judges because of her
outspoken demeanor. She knows she is different. I quote, “The Latina in me is an ember that
blazes forever.” I absolutely love her for this. I can definitely relate, as a Latina myself I
completely understand what she means.
And this is what justice is all about. To stand up for what you believe in with honor and integrity,
with fervor and intensity. This is what we can learn from Sonia.
Summary
Sonia’s entire story is a prime example of how we should all approached life. She pressed on
during her entire college career. She took the bull by its horns during her first years in the DA’s
office. As stated in the new book “Breaking In” “Sonia was accustomed to pushing overtly for
what she wanted.” Never once thinking that she would be under qualified because of race or
ethnicity, or anything else for that matter. This teaches us that we can accomplish great and
rewarding milestones if we approach life in a positive attitude. Nothing is too big or too difficult
to achieve. There is always more to discover in yourself. I am certain that we will hear more
impacting stories from her in the years to come. It will not end here.
Conclusion
The feeling of raising up against all odds is a story that many of us can also tell. Sonia attributes
her success to her most inspiring role model, her mother.
To end, I quote Sonia’s words to her mother as a confirmation of how so many see Sonia, “I
have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is, “I thank
you for all that you have given me and continue to give me.” Thank You.