Summary
Highlights
At just ten years old, Sonia Sotomayor was inspired by Perry Mason to dedicate herself to becoming a lawyer and a judge. Despite her family's limited financial resources, she pursued these goals steadfastly.
Sonia earned a scholarship to a prestigious university. There, she recognized her need to improve her vocabulary and writing skills, dedicating significant time to studying and working with tutors to enhance her academic performance.
Throughout university and law school, Sonia was an active Hispanic activist. She noticed the lack of Hispanic students and faculty and advocated for more Hispanic teachers and student admissions to the university administration, which eventually led to improvements.
Sonia also dedicated herself to community service, starting an after-school program for children while still in university. After law school, she worked as a lawyer, actively participating in Hispanic affairs and public service, helping low-income individuals secure funding for homes.
In 1992, Sonia achieved her second goal of becoming a judge, serving first as a Federal District Judge and then on the U.S. Court of Appeals. Her career culminated in her nomination by President Obama to the Supreme Court, where she became an Associate Justice in 2009. She is recognized as the third woman and the first Hispanic to hold such a position.