Bronx Children’s Museum and Hostos Colleges hosted the 10th annual Dream Big Day. Bronx Natives U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and actor and activist Kerry Washington discussed the Power of reading and dreaming with 200 South Bronx children. Washington moderated the conservation between Sotomayor and the mix of 2nd and 3rd graders about her journey to become a Supreme Court Justice and her new picture book Turning Pages: My Life Story. Justice Sonia Sotomayor has been a special visitor to the Dream Big summer program for 9 straight years.
“Reading books opened the world to me. As a child, I saw possibilities that I could have never imagined without reading," said Justice Sotomayor. “Books and imagination can transport you far beyond the walls of your home or your town - to faraway lands where you can be anyone and do anything. The key to success in my life, how I became a Supreme Court Justice, is because of my love of reading. I hope that my book, Turning Pages, can help inspire more children to dream up what is possible for them."
Bronx Children's Museum (BxCM) brought 200 children from PS 55 Benjamin Franklin, PS 5 Port Morris and St. Anselm School to Hostos as part of the Museum’s annual Dream Big Initiative and each child received an autographed copy of Turning Pages.
“Much of my career has been about strong characters and impactful storytelling, which can inspire people – young and old – to immerse themselves in a narrative and expand what they know is possible,” said Kerry Washington. “In Turning Pages, Justice Sotomayor describes reading as a magical tool of empowerment that encouraged her to excel at home in The Bronx and also courageously venture beyond our beloved borough into the larger world. As someone who also proudly grew up in The Bronx, I both relate to and am inspired by the Justice’s journey." Washington continued, "It was my honor to share Turning Pages with the Dream Big Day students in the hopes that they too will feel inspired and uplifted by the Justice’s story. I commend Justice Sotomayor for her commitment to the very important cause of childhood literacy.”
BxCM Executive Director Carla Precht stated, "Now in its 10th year, Dream Big is our signature program. By working with Museum Educators and Teaching Artists, children learn through the arts about inspiring people who grew up in the Bronx just like them and who worked hard to accomplish their dreams."
Hostos Community College President David Gomez welcomed the Justice to his campus. He said, "Listening to and watching the Honorable Justice Sotomayor is an inspiration. She is one of the nation's greatest roles models, and she reminds all of us that we are never too old to learn and to give back. Her return to The Bronx to read to children is simply a grand gesture that shows how much she cares for the future of this country. I am grateful to Ms. Kerry Washington and the Justice for making this a great day for so many of us."
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