I have spent my years since Princeton, while at law school and in my various professional jobs, not feeling completely a part of the worlds I inhabit. I am always looking over my shoulder wondering if I measure up.

I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge regardless of their background or life experiences.

Sometimes, even if there was no useful advice to give, I saw that listening still helped.

I was fifteen years old when I understood how it is that things break down: people can't imagine someone else's point of view.

This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.

In every position that I've been in, there have been naysayers who don't believe I'm qualified or who don't believe I can do the work. And I feel a special responsibility to prove them wrong.

Pretending to be a princess is fun, but it is definitely not a career.