The unprecedented swearing-in of Sonia Sotomayor as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice reaffirms the promise of America’s ideals to countless Latina women and men, girls and boys across our nation.
This significant historical event is made all the more meaningful to me because Justice Sotomayor and I share some of the same humble beginnings.
For the first twelve years of my life, I too lived in the housing projects. I was raised singly by my mother and we were on public assistance for a time.
My mother was a culinary genius, turning a can of Campbell’s soup and a bag of rice into a veritable feast for my siblings and me. She could make a simple can of soup or a pound of hamburger stretch into a full meal better than anybody could. A box of graham crackers and frosting made for a tasty dessert; in fact it was one of my favorites.
My mother never learned to drive, so we literally walked everywhere, even to the grocery store. My entire world consisted of the Westwood housing projects and whatever places we could reach by foot.
The few times I did ride in a car, I would get severe motion sickness and almost always threw up, to my mother’s embarrassment. For a long time anything beyond walking distance seemed so far away. I never even flew in a plane until I was in college.
I never imagined that one day I would witness the swearing-in of the country’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice: Sonia Sotomayor. I also never imagined someone raised in the projects and on public assistance like me, would make her way to such a prestigious position in my lifetime.
As many of us watched the debate over her confirmation, it was clear that a poised Sotomayor would be confirmed on the merit of her exemplary background and her jurisprudential abilities.
When I was young, being a Latina meant I was faced with many obstacles beyond being poor. Looking back, I suppose expectations for my future success were considered low. I felt set apart in many ways from mainstream America, even though as a third generation American on my mother’s side and a first nation member on my father’s side, I was born and raised here.
I don’t know whether I felt that way because I was poor or because I was Latina. In order to succeed, I found it necessary to go beyond those feelings Justice Sotomayor’s confirmation provides further affirmation that we of Latino roots belong and we are a part of the American fabric.
It means one can become a state senator or even a Supreme Court Justice, no matter your race, your ethnicity, or where you were raised. It means hard work pays off and your background does not and should not determine your position in life. There are still setbacks. Unfortunately, racist comments can still be heard on the street, but for the most part, times have changed.
Justice Sotomayor’s confirmation signifies how far we have come as a nation. It is not just an achievement for Latinos in this country, or for Latina Women. It is also an achievement for all children who want to move from the projects to the college dorm rooms or corner offices. It’s a story that fundamentally reaffirms the principles of our country and makes us a more perfect union.
Her story is a story of determination and dedication to seize every opportunity this great country provides. Her success allows every child to dream and know the world is full of possibilities.
Paula E. Sandoval is a Colorado State Senator for District 34. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
