NAWJ APPLAUDS NOMINATION BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA OF JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR AS NEXT U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

The National Association of Women Judges enthusiastically and wholeheartedly applauds the nomination by President Barack Obama of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become the next member of the United States Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor is not only a brilliant jurist with extensive legal experience in both the public and private sectors, she also has insight into the daily lives of those affected by the decisions made by the courts. President Obama has clearly recognized the need for gender diversity among the members of our country's Supreme Court and has selected a female nominee with impeccable credentials. The NAWJ supports this Presidential decision which reflects our principles and goals.

The National Association of Women Judges has been the leading voice for women jurists for more than thirty years. Founded in 1979 by two visionary women jurists, Justices Joan Dempsey Klein and Vaino Spencer, NAWJ is dedicated to increasing the number of women on the bench to more accurately reflect the role of women in a democratic society. The organization of more than 1,250 members has consistently strived to ensure fairness and gender equality in our judicial system, and has been at the forefront of efforts to advance highly qualified women at all levels of the judiciary. In 1989, NAWJ participated in the Senate confirmation proceedings of member Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. We eagerly welcomed the naming of a second woman, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Court and lamented the recent change that made her the sole female judge.

NAWJ President, La Tia W. Martin stated "Today, we are elated that there will again be more than a single woman judge on the Court. On behalf of NAWJ, I salute the President for his historic choice of an outstanding woman jurist for one of the most critical positions in our nation."

Contact: Marie Komisar, Executive Director, (202) 393-0222. MKomisar@nawj.org