Breaking The Glass Ceiling: Ketanji Brown Jackson Becomes First Black Woman Justice At US Supreme Court

The Senate voted 53 to 47 in favor of Jackson, making her the first black woman to be elevated to the Supreme Court.

U.S. President Joe Biden (R) with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson walk out of the White House for an event celebrating Jackson's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court (Source: File Photo/Getty)

New Delhi: For the first time in US history, Ketanji Brown Jackson took oath as the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court. The 51-year-old Jackson replaced 83-year-old Justice Stephen Breyer. The Senate voted 53 to 47 in favor of Jackson, making her the first black woman to be elevated to the Supreme Court, as reported by the news agency Associated Press.

“With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the court. “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great Nation. I extend my sincerest thanks to all of my new colleagues for their warm and gracious welcome.”

In a ceremony that was streamed live on the court’s website, Chief Justice John Roberts welcomed Jackson “to the court and our common calling.” 

Jackson started her career working as a clerk in the field of law. She graduated from Harvard and completed his law studies. She served on the US Sentencing Commission before becoming a federal judge in 2013.

Jackson has also served as the United States District Judge for the District of Columbia from 2013 to 2021. 

In February this year, US President Joe Biden has nominated Jackson to the Supreme court. Biden called Jackson a proven consensus builder who has "a pragmatic understanding that the law must work for the American people."