CLEVELAND, Ohio — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she has heard that more Hispanics are touring the U.S. Supreme Court building since she took the bench in August.
Maybe they come to see her, she told a Cleveland audience Friday night. But she likes to think that most Americans, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, feel pride knowing that a child of migrants from Puerto Rico could grow up to serve on our nation’s highest court.
“Maybe it’s me,” she said, “but maybe they see it as affirmation of our nation’s commitment to equality and justice.”
Share At the annual dinner of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Sotomayor thanked the legal professionals who she said carry on that commitment to equal justice — especially the 1,400 local lawyers who volunteer their services to legal aid.
Her keynote address, which sparked several standing ovations, climaxed a two-day visit to Northeast Ohio, a busy tour in which she impressed many with her engaging personality, her frequent smile and her respect for the everyday people whom she said the law must serve.
“I think what impressed me the most is that she was just so down to earth, a warm, engaging, very bright lady,” said Charlie Feliciano, a member of the board of the Spanish American Committee.
Feliciano was one of dozens of local Latino leaders who shared a Friday morning breakfast of scrambled eggs and cilantro and tortilla and beans with the justice. The conversation was brisk and bilingual, he said, complimenting the Spanish of the Bronx-born Sotomayor.
Later in the day, Sotomayor met with local law school students, lawyers, community leaders and the judges of the U.S. District Court before addressing 1,300 people in a ballroom of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
“It feels like I met all of Cleveland,” she said, smiling. “You rock.”
Before she delivered her speech, Sotomayor acknowledged a young woman who had already stolen the hearts of her audience. Brenda Vera, a senior at Lincoln West High School, thanked the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland for helping her family escape domestic violence. She said she hoped to become a lawyer.
Brenda said that she was nervous about sharing her story, but her mother encouraged her to speak, “to show that people can overcome abuse.”
Sotomayor thanked her for providing a wellspring of inspiration.
“Brenda, every once in a while everyone tires of the work they are doing. Every professional in this room knows what I’m talking about,” she said. “Every time that happens to me in the future, I’ll think of you.”
Many wiped tears as they applauded.
Sotomayor said that as she walks the majesty of the U.S. Supreme Court building each day, she often recalls the plain and humble courtrooms she knew as a lawyer and young judge, the justice centers Americans know best. She is struck by the fact that most people respect the law, no matter how humble its home.
“They prize what it represents, a place to earn and get respect,” she said.
Sparking a final ovation, she said, “Legal aid societies are crucial to insuring that the least privileged and most vulnerable in our society have access to justice.”