How the Wise Latina Challenged Me

When United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor walked into Shiley Auditorium at the University of San Diego back in 2013, the place was packed. In fact, the sell-out crowd was indicative of what the rest of her book tour would look like. Her memoir, “My Beloved World,” had just hit the stands. It would go on to climb the New York Times bestseller list where it would reach the coveted #1 spot in non-fiction. 
I was in the auditorium, like a groupie, clutching her book against my chest like a treasure, waiting for a glance of this rock star. A lover of books since the days I’d grown up traveling from base to base as a Navy kid, Sotomayor’s book meant more. 
 She told her life story with truth and transparency, in all its grit and little glory. She spoke for many of us about everyday obstacles and discrimination—of being Latina, a woman, poor. She also dealt with childhood diabetes and an alcoholic father who died when she was nine. Raised by a single mom who worked two jobs to put her and her brother through school, Sotomayor knew two things from a very young age: she was smart and liked to learn and solve problems—and she wanted to be a judge.  
Those of us in the audience that afternoon were her cheerleaders. And she was our inspiration. If she could do it, we could do it, too—whatever “it” meant to each individual present—young and old, men and women, boys and girls.
Touted as one of the most powerful Latinas in the country, Justice Sotomayor was already America’s new sweetheart, a celeb on the one hand, a rebel on the other. The “Wise Latina” label slapped on her was proudly picked up by a nationwide fan base ever since she had been nominated by President Barack Obama for the open seat in the Supreme Court in 2009. This Justice—the first Latina and only third woman ever to be in the lineup—had come from humble Nuyorican roots, stirring up a swell of pride and support. She will hold the position for her lifetime (or until she retires or is impeached!).  Sotomayor lobbied for herself; stood up to relentless, probing interrogations; yet remained rock steady in her confidence that she could do the job. She had already made a name for herself in the judicial arena and as an attorney throughout her career.  
As she walked across the stage that day, the buzz of conversations died down.  I sat up straighter.  She was royalty but with your Latina girl-next-door charisma. Her smile, dare I say it, reached her eyes. There was warmth there. And a true interest in those she spoke to directly.  We waited, wanting to hear her story from her own lips. Wanting to know it was real. 
It turned out her stories about her childhood and obstacles were very real. So were her joys and heartaches about life as a Nuyorican. Her advice challenged us to dream big and not let anything stop us. Her no-nonsense, no self-pity approach inspired us to deal with what we face and move forward--no excuses.
As she signed my book at the end of the event, we connected. I shared that I had lived in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, for seven years and that my son was born there. Her family roots were there, and she’d written about her memories so beautifully.  Only a few words were spoken, but it gave me a glimpse of a courageous and outspoken woman.
Sotomayor had stepped into the spotlight, but in reality, she was the beacon of light for many. 
I left wanting to be a better person, woman, mother, writer, journalist—and to rise to the challenge of pursuing my own life passion.
Fast forward to 2015.  I received a two-book contract to be the launch author of the “Living History” series for Zest Books. Aimed at middle grade readers (ages 10-13), the biographical series features inspiring men and women of color. 
My first book would be “Sonia Sotomayor: A Biography.” 
In the year of research, writing and editing with a fantastic editor, my respect and awe for Justice Sotomayor grew. At first, I was overwhelmed with the prospect of 1) the research; 2) condensing, organizing and simplifying the research and 3) writing the story in an engaging way for children—my first time ever writing in this genre.
But then, I gave myself over to the story of Sonia Sotomayor.  
Writing about inspiring Latinas had already become my mission in my professional life. As a freelance writer for nearly 30 years, my joy is writing feature stories or profiles. When my first non-fiction book was published, “The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength, and Success,” it changed my life. It became more than work with a deadline. 
It became the project of my heart.
The book opened my eyes to the countless stories of amazing, inspiring Latinas that need to be told. Some need to be in our history books. These women are role models for our children. Coming from all walks of life, they gave a voice to the underdog. They gave hope. They instigated change. They refused to settle. They caused controversy. They fought for justice. They didn’t take no for an answer.  They died for their cause. They lived with light and purpose.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor fit right in. In writing her story, my goal was to show children that despite where they come from and what they face, they can reach their dreams through hard work and education and belief in self. 
What I loved about Sotomayor was her thirst for knowledge.  She loved to read. A fan of the Nancy Drew mystery series, she fancied herself a detective one day because she, too, was good at solving puzzles and logically piecing together clues. Instead, when she was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of eight, she had to opt for another career.  She learned about lawyers and judges by first watching a 1960s television show, “Perry Mason,” and decided that would be her path instead.
 She never strayed from that dream. And because she believed she would not live as long as other people, she jumped into living with gusto. She embraced her Latino roots and American pride and saw a richness to her bicultural upbringing. In Catholic school she joined the debate team, stood up to bullies and took it in stride when even adults questioned her academic success over non-Latinos--politely retaking tests to prove her knowledge and ethics.  
Inspired by Senator Robert Kennedy, who visited her Bronx neighborhood, she vowed to carry on his fight for social justice.  She loved the law. At Princeton, she graduated at the top of her class. She studied law at Yale and worked at the New York District Attorney’s office after graduating.  She was nominated to the U.S. District Court in New York by President George H. W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 1992; President Bill Clinton nominated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and she was confirmed in 1998. 
A self-proclaimed “affirmative action baby,” she was often the only woman of power in certain office situations. She worked on various task forces for gender, racial and ethnic fairness. She blazed a trail of “firsts.” When she swore in Vice President Joseph Biden, it was the first time inauguration events were scheduled around a book tour--hers. 
It is easy to see her accomplishments, but what endeared her to me was her transparency in telling us, every chance she could, that she did not live a Cinderella life. That it had not been easy.  
I love that now there is a portrait named “The Four Justices” by artist Nathan Shanks, created as a tribute to the four trailblazing female Supreme Court Justices—Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Sandra Day O’Connor and Elena Kagen—which was displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. At the same time, Sotomayor is as comfortable in jeans and a jersey, throwing out the first pitch at a beloved Yankees game. She also keeps herself in check asking herself these questions daily: What did you learn today? What act of kindness did you perform?
Sotomayor is the role model we need today.  What I’d like kids—and adults—to learn in “Sonia Sotomayor: A Biography” is that this rock star icon became the people’s justice guided by a very basic rule: do the right thing.  Meeting her and writing about her makes it easy for me to stay on track with my own mission:  keep writing and sharing stories of inspiring Latinas that need to be told. •