UltraViolet Celebrates Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as First Black Woman Justice to Serve on The United States Supreme Court
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 7, 2022
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Celebrates Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as First Black Woman Justice to Serve on The United States Supreme Court
Led by UltraViolet, the Women’s Disinformation Defense Project helped counter racist and sexist attacks against Justice Jackson
WASHINGTON, DC — Moments ago, the Senate voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson as the newest justice of the United States Supreme Court.
In response, Bridget Todd, director of communications for UltraViolet, a national gender justice advocacy organization, issued the following statement:
“Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court in American history. Let that sink in. We celebrate Justice Jackson’s lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court today, her strength, and accomplishments.
“President Biden named Justice Jackson as his Supreme Court nominee with the specific intention of appointing a Black woman. The very idea sparked right-wing attacks both online and on air. Despite Republicans’ best efforts to discredit Justice Jackson, including brazenly irrelevant and offensive remarks from the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jackson met their opposition with dignity and poise. While baseless attacks like these are nothing new, they are particularly symptomatic of the hurdles Black women face in pursuit of leadership positions.
“With that, Justice Jackson’s steadfast commitment to ‘justice for all’ is more than evident. In a profession notoriously dominated by white men, we are confident that Justice Jackson’s success will inspire younger generations of Black girls to dream bigger, become leaders, and agents of change.”
“We extend our sincerest congratulations to Justice Jackson on this monumental milestone in her career and our nation’s history.”
Prior to President Biden’s nomination of Justice Jackson to the Supreme Court, UltraViolet preemptively expanded the Women’s Disinformation Defense Project (WDDP) to counter racist and sexist narratives in mainstream media and on social media.
As part of WDDP efforts, UltraViolet, members of the WDDP coalition and other allies, released an updated Fairness Media Guide for Covering Women And People of Color. The guide was released initially in 2020 ahead of President Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate for Vice President, and updated in 2021 for coverage of Biden’s cabinet nominees.
The updated recommendations emphasize focusing on the nominee’s credentials, expertise, and background in the field of judicial law, rather than the race, gender, and demographic information. Additionally to avoid sexist and racist tropes, such as assessments of a nominee’s style, hair, or makeup.
VIEW THE GUIDE HERE: https://weareuv.us/
In an open letter signed by 70 organizations, the WDDP coalition also addressed news division heads, editors, bureau chiefs, and reporters urging coverage of President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee according to these new standards.
VIEW THE LETTER HERE: https://weareultraviolet.org/
Last week, survivors of sexual violence placed a full page New York Times ad published in print throughout the District of Columbia in a massive show of support for Justice Jackson.
Spearheaded by UltraViolet Action, the ad was created in partnership with survivor justice organizations, including the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Black Women’s Leadership Collective, Women’s March Equality Labs, Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, the National Organization of Asians and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence, and Restaurant Opportunities Centers United.
VIEW THE NEW YORK TIMES AD HERE: https://weareultraviolet.org/
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