Emerging Latina Woman

In a speech to Yale students, Sotomayor eludes to the motivation for some people to ‘do good’ for others, also lends itself to people who will forego money. Public work is “ill-paying” because of limited resources they need to carry out their work. Sotomayor suggests we do the right thing, and that is to stay ethical, even when seeing the burdens that public service imposes (Sotomayor 2).

          Growing up, facing discouragement from becoming a detective (due to her diabetes), Sonia spent her time reading books, particularly an encyclopedia, a rarity in the projects or Bronx. In 1972, she was valedictorian of Cardinal Spellman High School. She then attended Princeton where she was one of only a few Latino/a students, and especially, of even fewer women. From bridging racial gaps in high school, to earning the most prestigious undergrad award, the Pyne Prize, for her grades and extracurricular work. Sonia aimed to be a judge when she saw that it was the highest “seat in the house” so to speak. She went straight into Yale; she then served as New York assistant district attorney where she saw all kinds of criminal activity (Stolberg 1-4).

Figure 2: From Bronx to the High Court. Photograph. Princeton University Archives. New York Times. By Sheryl G. Stolberg. 26 May 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. < http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/05/26/us/20090526-SOTOMAYOR_4.html >.