United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke to students at the UCLA School of Law on Tuesday about overcoming adversity to achieve higher education, a theme that resonated with several students.
Sotomayor – the third woman and first Latina to be named as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice – recently published her story in her memoir, “My Beloved World,” which she promoted in a question-and-answer session at the law school followed by smaller receptions held throughout the day.
In her memoir, Sotomayor describes being born to Puerto Rican immigrants, growing up in a housing project in the Bronx and developing diabetes at 7 years old. The book and Tuesday’s talk explored her path to becoming valedictorian of her high school class, attending Princeton University and then studying at Yale Law School.
During the question-and-answer session, Sotomayor recounted instances of gender and racial discrimination in which she was accused of not being qualified to be at certain institutions as a Latina, or was accused of being “too assertive.”
Sotomayor shared stories of mentors who helped her realize her potential, and offered insight on how to identify a good mentor.
“In every setting that I am in … I look for someone whose values and integrity I respect. It was always important to find mentors who were doing the right thing – who cared about the issues that were important to me,” Sotomayor said.
The question-and-answer session was limited to 175 students, who were selected through a lottery system. Students who were unable to secure a spot in the live question-and-answer session filled another nearby room to listen to her speak. Others were invited to one of three receptions held throughout the day.
Susan Lopez, a law student and co-chair of the La Raza Law Students Association, said she came from a similar background as Sotomayor. Her parents also emigrated from Puerto Rico to a low-income neighborhood near Chicago.
Like Sotomayor, Lopez is a first-generation Latina law student.
“In a field that is lacking diversity, it’s inspiring to see someone that looks like you,” Lopez said before attending one of the receptions.
Sotomayor also advised students to pursue the career that is right for them after law school. She ultimately decided to forgo a job at a big corporate law firm to work as an assistant district attorney for New York County because she wanted more hands-on work and responsibility.
Jasmine Phillips, a law student who attended one of the receptions and is involved with the Black Law Student Association, said Sotomayor’s understanding of issues important to students of color is what resonates most with her.
“She has advocated for a lot of the issues I was passionate about in undergrad and that I am still involved with in law school, including increasing student and faculty diversity,” Phillips said.
At the end of the session, Sotomayor encouraged all students to see their work in law as a way of helping others, regardless of whether they work at a corporate firm, government office or a public interest organization.
“What law is and should be to you is service,” Sotomayor said. “If you are practicing with a sense of integrity, you are doing good for whoever you are representing.”