Who is Sonia Sotomayor?

Today, President Obama announced his nominee for the Supreme Court: Sonia Sotomayor. Of Puerto Rican descent, she was raised in a housing project in the South Bronx before going to college at Princeton and to law school at Yale. Her father died when she was nine years old and her mom worked full-time as a nurse, while raising her two children.

I don't know about you, but I'm really excited about this nomination for a few reasons: First, between Michelle and Barack Obama, Kathleen Sebelius, and Sonia Sotomayor, working moms -- or people raised by single, working moms -- are in positions of power in never before seen numbers! Secondly, for the past three years, there's only been one woman (one woman!) serving on the Supreme Court. And, if confirmed, Sotomayor will be only the third (the third!) woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And, third, Sotomayor will be the first Latina (the first!) to serve on the Court in United States history.

The National Women's Law Center released a statement after Sotomayor's nomination, detailing the importance of this nomination for women everywhere. Check it out here.

Later this summer, the US Senate will be voting on whether or not to confirm Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice. When that time comes, check back here for information about contacting your Senators. Remember, your opinion counts!!

a working mom in the White House!

A few weeks before the election, Michelle Obama wrote in a U.S. News & World Report editorial that her top priority as first lady would be to advocate for working families and military families. For years, Michelle was a working mom and, once on the campaign trail, she talked to working parents across the country to find out they need from Washington.

Michelle discovered that working mothers in all 50 states have the same needs: affordable child care, paid sick days, pay equity, and more time to care for their children.

Read Michelle's full article here.

She said, "As first lady, I'd continue these conversations with working women and military spouses, and I'd take their stories back to Washington to make sure that the people who run our country know how their policies touch their constituents' lives."



What are you waiting for? Tell Michelle your story! Michelle understands the struggles that come when you have to balance your job and your family. Tell her your story so she can be YOUR advocate in Washington. Take the first step to create the kind of change YOU need!