What Difference Will a Latina Make on the Supreme Court?

Gender and ethnicity together can’t help but inform Justice Sotomayor’s decisions, says Summer issue of Ms. magazine

WHAT: As Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina ever nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, faces confirmation hearings, Ms. examines her much-cited quote that a “wise Latina woman” is clearly different from a “white male” and may reach a better conclusion in certain court cases.

After interviewing numerous legal scholars and sifting through a wealth of research about women and racial minorities in the federal judiciary, Ms. writer Carolina Gonzalez found several things to be certain:

 Racial and gender identity definitely matter in cases of racial and gender discrimination

 A Court that “looks like America” helps Americans feel invested in the judicial system

 Women and minorities are grossly underrepresented in all levels of the federal court

WHO: Journalist Carolina Gonzalez is available for interviews on the role that nominee Sotomayor might play on the U.S. Supreme Court. Gonzalez has written for NY Daily News, the Progressive Media Project and New American Media, and is a frequent voice on progressive radio.

Contact Jessica Stites at 310-556-2515 or jstites@msmagazine.com.

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