History was made Thursday as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and will become the nation’s first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The confirmation was met with applause from many across the country, including many Black leaders in the Pittsburgh region.

Jackson — a 51-year-old judge with nearly a decade of experience in federal courts, as well as time in private practice and as a public defender — was confirmed on a bipartisan basis by a 53-47 vote. All 50 Democrats who were joined by three Republican senators to confirm Jackson’s appointment.

She becomes just the third Black judge ever to occupy a Supreme Court seat and the sixth woman. President Joe Biden nominated Jackson, fulfilling a campaign pledge to nominate the court’s first Black woman.

State Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, is the first Black woman from Southwestern Pennsylvania to be elected to the state Legislature and is seeking to become the first Black woman from Pennsylvania to be elected to Congress.

Lee criticized Republicans who opposed Jackson’s nomination for harassing her during hearings. She said Jackson’s confirmation is a long overdue moment that will add to the court’s diversity of viewpoints and background, which she said it has glaringly lacked.

“Today we celebrate once again the power of overqualified Black women in this country to overcome every obstacle thrown our way,” Lee said. “Black women deserve to not only have someone that looks like us on the Supreme Court, but someone who approaches the law and our justice system from the deeply rooted adversity that every single one of us are all too familiar with.”

• Jackson confirmed as 1st Black female high court justice

The first Black mayor of Bellevue Borough, Val Pennington, echoed Lee’s thoughts. He said Jackson’s critics didn’t give her a proper examination, instead focusing merely on the fact that Biden stated he would only nominate a Black woman.

“She is immensely qualified for the position. Period,” Pennington said. “Her qualifications cannot be impeached.”

He said Jackson making history is a bonus and that she brings a “much needed perspective” to the court.

“Gigantic is what this means for the country. It shatters a long overdue glass ceiling,” Pennington said. “It gives perspective to the highest court that they haven’t had before and shatters a glass ceiling that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”

Ed Gainey made history last year after becoming the city of Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor. Gainey said in a statement that today is an “extraordinary moment” for America.

“The confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is not only historic, but another significant step forward in shattering the proverbial glass ceiling,” said Gainey. “Her confirmation represents a milestone opportunity for our democracy to acknowledge the leadership Black women have always exhibited.”

Pittsburgh City Councilman Ricky Burgess, D-Point Breeze, said he was moved “almost to tears” at the news of Jackson’s confirmation. He said Jackson will now serve as an inspiration to Black women and other marginalized communities.

“My wife, my daughter, my mother in Heaven, all of the women in my family and my church members and my students, have a moment where this country says, ‘You count, you are significant and we appreciate you,’” Burgess said.

“I’m grateful that in this moment of hatred and radical politics and overt racism, we get a moment of hope and joy,” Burgess said. “This is the best of our country. This is us at our best. I’m prayerful that, perhaps, this is a symbol of better days to come.”

Mitchel Nickols, a pastor at Bibleway Christian Fellowship Church in New Kensington and a Point Park University professor, agreed.

“To have a Black woman on the bench (makes) it even better for representation in America,” Nickols said. “This is the first Black female on the highest court in our land. She is immensely qualified.”

Nickols stressed Jackson’s Harvard University background as well as several years of experience as a judge.

Aaron Moore, a member of Voice of Westmoreland — a grassroots organizing group — who sits on the racial justice committee, applauded the appointment.

“I think it’s awesome,” Moore said. “I think it’s 200 years past due. Representation is necessary not only on the Supreme Court, but local. It’s about time and I hope it causes a ripple effect.”

State Rep. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, is running for lieutenant governor and would become the first Black person to fill that role if he were to win. He said he is grateful that young Black women will see representation on the country’s highest court.

“For some, that is a privilege that is taken for granted, but for so many across our country, today represents a groundbreaking moment and validation of the central promise of our nation, that no matter who you are, there is no limit to what you can achieve, and that is an incredible reason to celebrate,” said Davis.

University of Pittsburgh law professor and Congressional candidate Jerry Dickinson said Jackson’s confirmation is a major step forward for the country. He was proud of how Jackson “traversed the forces of hatred and bigotry” to make history.

“As an African American civil rights lawyer, a constitutional law professor, and a father to two young Black girls, I am overwhelmed with pride, and I am hopeful that this achievement will inspire future generations of Black and Brown children to aspire for careers at the highest levels of government,” said Dickinson.

Evan Frazier is the CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute, a nonprofit focused on cultivated Black leadership at companies and organizations. Frazier, who said he was speaking personally and not on behalf of TALI, said Jackson’s appointment represents a significant win for democracy and an important step forward.

“I believe we need diversity of thought, and you can’t really have that without diversity of representation,” said Frazier. “It gives us hope, it gives hope for others. She is another wonderful role model for Pittsburghers, and a reminder that you can do anything. A reminder, particularly for young girls and women, to dream bigger.”

Johnnie Miott, president of the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP, celebrated Jackson’s confirmation and compared this moment to when Thurgood Marshall became the first Black person to sit on the high court.

“Today Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has finally broken the glass ceiling to make room for a Black woman on the Supreme Court,” said Miott. “It was 55 years ago that former NAACP Chief Counsel Thurgood Marshall broke down barriers and was confirmed as the first Black American to sit on the Supreme Court.”

Staff writer Megan Tomasic contributed to this report.

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