NCNW President, Dr. Thelma T. Daley, Praises Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

There is a verse from the scriptures that says weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Today was a joyful morning. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will ascend to the nation’s highest court. We are inspired and reassured that justice does sometimes prevail. Not equity, but simple justice. Judge Jackson possessed every traditional attribute required of Justices. Despite her experience, attitude and knowledge, she weathered a withering cross examination from the Q-ANON Insurrectionist branch of the conservative party. Judge Jackson has broken through a concrete ceiling of resistance to equal justice.

I must express sincere gratitude to our NCNW family. Our members, Affiliates, sections and executive committee members provided an excellent example of collective advocacy. Over the past several weeks they exhibited a level of commitment and collaboration that is commendable and is sure to serve us well in the future. If your Senator voted in favor of the confirmation, please consider writing a note of thanks for their public service.

Judge Jackson’s nomination stands as proof that politicians can honor their promises once they are elected, as President Biden and the Senate majority have done. This has been a tough and sometimes unrewarding season for social justice advocates. There has been scant civil and human rights progress over the past year. Symbolically we wept over the failure to obtain voting rights reform and still worry that voter suppression is doing real damage to the credibility of the electoral process. We wept over the failed criminal justice reform negotiations, despite Senator Cory Booker’s persistent efforts. We wept over the children who are sinking back into poverty following the end of the child tax credit payments. We are also concerned that the extension of the student loan debt moratorium until August is not a sufficient plan to address the financial fragility of working people.

Nevertheless, the morning has come. Senators Collins, Murkowski and Romney pledged their support to Judge Jackson, making her confirmation bipartisan. We look forward to the brilliant opinions she will write and the power of her personality to influence skeptics on and off the court. The morning has come and we can be joyful in this moment. We can share the story of Ketanji Brown Jackson and watch little girls’ eyes light up with hope and ambition. Celebrate this milestone and be encouraged to finish the work that is before us with the same insight as that displayed by the newest member of the United States Supreme Court.

Respectfully,

Thelma Thomas Daley, Ph.D.
8th National President and Chair