SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)— Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination makes her the first African American woman to become a Supreme Court justice. The historic selection has been widely covered by news outlets and has drawn criticism but also support.
Tia Thevenin formerly ran track and field for Syracuse University as an undergraduate and returned to campus to attend law school. Thevenin is currently in her second year and saw Jackson’s nomination as an inspiration.
“I think it’s just inspirational to everyone, especially as a racialized minority myself to believe that all things are possible,” said Thevenin.
According to the White House, Jackson will officially serve as the 116th associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. There have only been five women to serve on the Supreme Court which include Sandra Day O’Connor, Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett. Formerly, Jackson served as U.S. district judge and as a vice chair and commissioner to the United States Sentencing Commission.
Thevenin said she has not seen as much celebration or conversation surrounding Jackson amongst law students at Dineen Hall, the law school at Syracuse University.
“You know, the law school we haven’t had much conversation about it and I don’t think it’s been as publicized in appreciated and really celebrate it as I thought but there were a few days that we played some of the confirmation hearings on a couple of TVs,” said Thevenin.
Despite the lack of conversation, Thevenin said she hopes to use this moment, inspiration, and past in sports, to make the corporate side of sports and entertainment a better place.
