I got a label because I was Hispanic and a woman and [therefore] I had to be liberal.
Sonia SotomayorWhen a young person, even a gifted one, grows up without proximate living examples of what she may aspire to become--whether lawyer, scientist, artist, or leader in any realm--her goal remains abstract. Such models as appear in books or on the news, however inspiring or revered, are ultimately too remote to be real, let alone influential. But a role model in the flesh provides more than inspiration; his or her very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying, 'Yes, someone like me can do this.
Sonia SotomayorIf the issue is letting the states experiment and letting the society have more time to figure out its direction, why is taking a case now the answer?
Sonia SotomayorI would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life.
Sonia Sotomayor