Biography of Sonia Sotomayor
Childhood and Education
Sonia was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents who moved to the city during World War II. She was raised in The Bronx, a borough of New York City with a very large Puerto Rican population. Growing up in the projects, Sonia had to overcome difficult circumstances. At the age of eight, Sonia was diagnosed with diabetes. Her father passed away when she was just nine years old, leaving her to be raised by her mother.
From early on, Sonia demonstrated high levels of academic achievement. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University. She then earned her law degree from Yale in 1979.
Career
Sotomayor's distinguished judicial career began in Manhattan, where she worked as an assistant district attorney under District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. In the eighties, New York City was crime-ridden and dangerous. There were nearly 2,000 homicides a year, which kept Sotomayor very busy. She was outraged by the violent crime and worked hard to bring the criminals to justice. She quickly earned recognition as an outspoken and fearless jurist who does not let powerful interests influence her decisions.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush named Sotomayor as a federal judge in New York. She famously used her power to end a Major League Baseball strike in 1995.
Impressed by her sharp intellect, confidence, and experience, President Obama nominated Sotomayor for the Supreme Court in 2009. She entered the record books as the first Hispanic justice and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is still an active member of the high court and continues to make waves by standing up for the civil rights of defendants.
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