“Sometimes, idealistic people have put off the whole business of networking as something tainted by flattery and the pursuit of selfish advantage. But virtue in obscurity is rewarded only in Heaven. To succeed in this world you have to be known to people.” – Sonia Sotomayor. As one dives into her accomplishments one can get a better sense of how she aims to inspire young Hispanic women to follow their dreams. Being a man myself, she has inspired me to reach my goals and I hope she can also inspire you to chase your dreams. It is important to recognize Sonia Sotomayor as a role model because not only is she an Hispanic woman, she is the first Hispanic woman on the Supreme Court.
Growing up in the South Bronx and living in public housing, she never had it easy. While living in the Bronx she also faced some financial difficulties and her father’s alcoholism also took a toll on their living situation. Reading books and visiting her grandmother nearby was her only peace. At a young age, Sonia taught herself independence because of her diabetes diagnosis. With diabetes, she learned how to properly clean and inject herself with insulin needles. After her father’s death, Sonia and her family were able to escape the rapidly deteriorating part of South Bronx.
After graduating from high school as the valedictorian she went on to further pursue her education at Princeton which at the time only began admitting female students. Sonia then went to study at Yale Law School and during her time at Yale she became the editor of the school’s journal. While studying she also advocated for the rights of Hispanic students and pressed on the universities to hire more Hispanic staff members. After graduating from Yale, Sonia Sotomayor then went on to become the assistant district attorney.
Before becoming a supreme court justice she was praised by many of her colleagues. The district attorney she worked under described her as a “fearless and effective prosecutor,”. Being a lawyer also took a toll on her personal life. Sonia Sotomayor divorced Kevin Noonan towards the end of her time as an assistant district attorney. Shortly after her divorce she began working at a private law firm and worked there for many years. Ms. Sotomayor’s boss at the private law firm pressured her into applying as a federal judge. When she finally applied, she then went on an interview and was appointed President George H. W. Bush as a judge on the U.S. District Court for New York.
This was the peak of Sonia’s career and over the next 6 years, she worked on 450 cases. In 1997 she was appointed to the Appeals Court by President Bill Clinton and a year later the bipartisan confirmed her. This was Sonia’s final stepping stone to becoming a Justice of the highest court. After President Obama’s inauguration, he appointed Sonia to the Supreme Court of the United States. By a vote of 68 to 31 she was confirmed as the Justice on the highest court of the land.
In a 2017 speech at the University of Michigan Sonia Sotomayor said “Until we get equality in education, we won’t have an equal society.”. Since her time at the Supreme Court, she has ruled to uphold the Affordable Care Act and legalize same-sex marriage. Sonia Sotomayor is the definition of a role model and has shown the world that no matter where you are from, or what your living situation is, you can achieve your goal.
