By JAYCIE DOERR, NEWS3 Reporter
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — The Senate made history on April 7 when Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court.
The Senate voted 53 to 47 in her favor, making her the first black woman to sit on the country’s highest court in the court’s 233-year history.
Esmeralda Almanza, a freshman at WIU, said Jackson’s confirmation inspires her.
“It opens up a lot of opportunities for other girls. being a minority, it makes me think that I can do that too,” Almanza said.
Jackson’s confirmation also dramatically changes the demographics of the court. For the first time in history, white men will not hold the majority in the Supreme Court. It will also be the first time that two African Americans will sit on the court at the same time, as well as the first time that four women have served on the court.
“I think it gives a different perspective,” said a WIU graduate student. “White men, for many years, have made decisions for women. We can finally see a change that we all want, not only for ourselves and not only for our future generations but for America itself.”
Jackson will be replacing Justice Stephen Breyer, who has indicated he will finish the current judicial term, which concludes at the end of June. So, Jackson is expected to be sworn in over the summer recess once justice Breyer steps down.
