Sotomayor's Mother: I Overcame Odds to Raise U.S. Supreme Court Pick
"My mother gives unselfishly, giving what she cannot spare, and always without expecting anything in return," her daughter said.
"If my mother's story teaches anything, it is that with education you can overcome enormous disadvantages."
Sotomayor paused to note that nothing comes easy, even in America.
"All of us are well aware that even here, not all dreams come true and not all hopes can be realized. If nothing else, economic realities affect everyone," she said.
"Yet, the need to dream, the need to hope, the need to believe and know that we live in a land that gives us the chance to have dreams come true, that is what the gift of living in America is all about."
With language that in many ways reflects the cadences of the President that picked her - and no doubt drew Obama toward her as his first Supreme Court pick - she spoke of the responsibility that comes with democracy.
"We all share the responsibility of working together within our democratic system of government - to strengthen it - to ensure that the promise of America and its opportunities endures for us and for all generations to come," she said.
That that means remembering where you came from, she said.
"The diverse people of this country are its greatest strength and the key to its success. I urge you to continue to learn about this country and teach your children about this country and its culture," she said.
"But - and this is a very big but - do not forget your backgrounds and the cultures that you come from. Don't forget the struggles and hardships of your parents and grandparents."
"My brother and I grew up in the projects," she added. "But through my mother's emphasis on education, we are living wonderful, full lives, liberated from the shackles of poverty."
That's something Celina Sotomayor recalled Wednesday, with awe.
"She is the most honest person I have ever known," the elder Sotomayor said of her daughter. "I wish I could be like her. She is so good, so giving."
Like her mother.
Reader Comments
inspiration for all latinos
I think Sotomayor may have a story more compelling and more motivational than our president.
The story is inspiring for sure, but
the REASON for putting Judge Sotomayor on the Supreme Court surely is something else in addition to the life story.
Journalists, please be digging in her case files--now that interviews of her mother are sufficiently completed.
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