The Women’s Funding Network invites you to join a statement of celebration and support of the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be nominated to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
We stand in celebration and support of the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be nominated to serve as Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
While countless Black women have been qualified for this position—including Constance Baker Motley half a century ago, the first Black woman to argue before the Supreme Court, winning 9 out of her 10 cases—none before have been allowed the opportunity. Since President Biden stated his intent to nominate a Black woman, there has been vitriolic pushback from some politicians, which is a form of dog whistle racism; when Presidents Reagan and Trump announced they would nominate a woman to the Supreme Court, there was no similar public outcry from their party about it being biased or “affirmative action.” Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) implied that focusing the search to Black women may mean the “best jurist” for the lifetime appointment won’t be considered.
In fact, the President’s search is drawing from the most qualified group; research from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that Black women are educated at a higher percentage than any other group in the U.S., including white men.
Representation matters. While Black women make up 7% of the U.S. population, of the 115 justices to serve on the Supreme Court, 0 have been Black women. Judge Jackson’s appointment would be a historic step forward in creating a Supreme Court that reflects the people for whom it makes decisions. And because some of the Supreme Court’s decisions — including voting rights, redistricting laws, and abortion access – disproportionately affect the voices and bodies of people of color, more diversity on the Court is incredibly important. Jackson’s appointment will also inspire young Black women and girls to what’s possible.
We are thrilled for this historic moment, and strongly advocate for the Senate to swiftly confirm the eminently qualified Judge Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In solidarity, signed:
- Elizabeth Barajas-Román, President & CEO, Women’s Funding Network
- Tanna Clews, CEO, New Hampshire Women’s Foundation
- Tine Ward, Founder and CEO, Rockflower Partners, Inc.
- Dr. Abbie Hodgson, Director, The Ascend Fund
- Nicole Stiles, Chief Operating Officer, How Women Lead
- Mike Greene, Policy Advisor, American Association of University Women
- Julie Abrams, CEO, How Women Lead
- Donna Haghighat, CEO, The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
- Jo Giles, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of Omaha
- My Lo Cook, Executive Director, Shadika
- Dr. Mary Osbakken, President, Osbakken Consulting, LLC
- Viviana Alvarado Pacheco, Senior Research Associate, The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade
- Teresa Younger, President and CEO, Ms. Foundation for Women
- Dr. Leela Bilmes Goldstein, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of Hawai’i
- Kelly Nevins, CEO, Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
- Carmen James Randolph, Founding President and CEO, The Women’s Foundation of the South
- Lauren Casteel, President and CEO, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado
- Kelley Griesmer, President and CEO, The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio
- Dr. Jennifer Steadman, Executive Director, Aurora Women and Girls Foundation
- Louise Davis, President, PRBB Foundation
- Kimberly Crichton, Executive Director, Maine Women’s Fund
- Nicole Baran, Executive Director, Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation
- Francene Chadwick, Co-Founder and CEO, Serve
- Ellen Lord, Donor Relations and Program Manager, Arizona Foundation for Women
- Verónica Colón-Rosario, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Women’s Foundation
- Ashlei Spivey, I Be Black Girl
- Erika Burnett, MEd, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga
- Katrin Wilde, Executive Director, Channel Foundation
- Marya Meyer, Interim Executive Director, The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade
- Meghan Cummings, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
- Amalia Luxardo, Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Foundation for the State or Arizona
- Analice Trindade, Operation Manager, ELAS+
- Miloney Thakrar, MPP, MSc, Founder & Principal, Mind the Gender Gap, Inc.
- Lisa Acree, Board Member, Shadhika
- Felicia Davis Blakley, President and CEO, Chicago Foundation for Women
- Ana Oliveira, President & CEO, The New York Women’s Foundation
- Kate Kroeger, Executive Director, Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights
- Jacquelyn Lendsey, Interim President & CEO, Washington Area Women’s Foundation
- Lutonya Russell-Humes, Senior Director, Fund for Women and Girls Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Inc.