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Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson shared her journey and vision for education at B��Ԫ, speaking to an audience who saw their own dreams reflected in her historic achievements. The event, held on December 15, 2024, was possible thanks to a collaboration between B��Ԫ, The Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. The power of women’s leadership marked this historic gathering, where Justice Brown Jackson spoke about the process of writing her book, “Lovely One,” which chronicles her inspiring journey.

“Our ability to host Justice Brown Jackson really is about inspiring all of us,” said Tiffany S.W. Hamilton, CEO of YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester and president of The Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. “The intersection of these three organizations coming together is not by accident, it was specifically designed,” she explained. “Because all three of those organizations are led by women who boldly champion spaces of equity, access, empowerment and education.”

Susan L. Parish, president of B��Ԫ, highlighted the significance of the partnership. “Tiffany’s visionary leadership and her partnership with Mercy is what brought Justice Brown Jackson here today. Justice Brown Jackson’s presence celebrates not only her achievements but also serves as an invitation for every one of us to reflect on how we each can contribute to a more equitable and more inclusive society.”

Justice Brown Jackson, herself a proud alumna of Delta Sigma Theta, shared personal reflections on education and selfbelief. “My parents were so interested in making sure that I had all the opportunities that had been denied to them, and they would say to me, ‘You can do anything you want to do,’ and that really seeped into my consciousness. I remember from being this big just thinking this is what I want to do, this is what I want to be.”

She emphasized education’s role in democracy: “I’ve spoken about how much education has shaped and changed the trajectory of my family, my life, and I think it is a crucial tool for achieving not only personally, but also as a society,” she said. “Being educated in a democracy is crucial – understanding the issues, being able to speak your voice, being able to participate in your community, knowing truth from fiction – all these things are a function of getting a very good education.”

Hamilton reinforced the event’s focus on education and youth empowerment: “When we envisioned this event, we knew that we wanted to center the focus on our young people. It was important for us to create a space where young people from the community could be in the room to see what’s possible and to know that they belong here.”

Students responded with enthusiasm to Justice Brown Jackson’s presence. Her story resonated with first-generation Mercy students like Alyssa Politi ’24. “Justice Brown Jackson being here is inspiring to me as a woman, because I really just want to listen to such a powerful role model. As a firstgeneration student, getting the first bachelor’s degree in my family, and being a woman with three older brothers, sometimes I need that person to inspire me in the professional sense.”

For Mercy student Hannoy Cedeno ’24, learning about her impact was incredible. “I’ve read so many articles about how passionate she is ... and with where we are now as a collective, it’s important that she speaks to us about what she’s going to do while she’s on the Supreme Court. I would love to learn more about what Justice Brown Jackson can do for our community, not just for the nation.”

After the fireside chat, Justice Brown Jackson answered several questions from the audience, including Mercy students. When asked about the role of empathy in judicial decision making, Justice Brown Jackson said, “Justices and judges who have a variety of experiences are able to do the work of evaluating the evidence and the arguments in a way that maybe someone who has not had that experience can.”

She was asked about the rules of order for the Supreme Court of the United States, which require her, as the junior member of the court, to comment last during a seriatim round — the legal term for a series of opinions written individually by each judge on the bench. “I like it,” she said, “because I am listening to what other people are saying and in many ways I get the last word.” Justice Brown Jackson continued, “It really gives me some flexibility around participating in the argument and leaving it on a note that I hoped to leave for the public or for the lawyers or whatnot.”

When asked for advice on how to persist through challenges, Justice Brown Jackson shared, “Don’t expect that everything is going to be rosy all the time … but realize that you’re strong enough to survive this particular set of circumstances.”

The event proved to be informative and uplifting, and everyone left feeling energized and connected.

Empowerment was an overarching theme for the day, and Mercy’s President Parish summed it up with a quote from “Lovely One,” which had been inspiring her since she read it: “Ordinary humans can do extraordinary things, so go ahead and dream as enormously and courageously as you can. If you are diligent and well-prepared and relentlessly optimistic and resolute in purpose, you will be capable of creating a brilliant future for yourself.”

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