Justice Sonia Sotomayor discussed the emotional challenges of serving on a conservative-dominated Supreme Court during an event at the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University. Despite feeling deep sadness and frustration with many court decisions, she maintains an optimistic outlook, advocating for values like equality, diversity, and justice. Sotomayor emphasized the importance of long-term efforts to uphold these principles.

Hundreds, including children carrying Puerto Rican flags, gathered to hear her speak. Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, reflected on her early ambitions influenced by fictional detective Nancy Drew, her view of law forming a more perfect union, and the courage of judges upholding Brown v. Board of Education.

She credited her late mother, a single parent who became a nurse, with inspiring her and noted the support from various mentors throughout her career. Sotomayor has dedicated her tenure to mentoring young people, hoping her words inspire them to contribute positively to society.