Sonia Sotomayor, left, President Obama's choice to replace retiring Justice David Souter, takes the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice and only the third woman in the court's 220-year history, in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009. She is joined by her brother, Juan Luis Sotomayor, and her mother Celina Sotomayor. Sotomayor, 55, has been a federal judge for 17 years. The Senate confirmed Sotomayor's nomination Thursday by a 68-31 vote. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Applewhite / Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) —It’s Justice Sotomayor now.
Sonia Sotomayor has been sworn in as the Supreme Court’s first Hispanic justice. She’s only the third female justice in the top U.S. court’s 220-year history. She is also President Barack Obama’s first appointment to the court.
Sotomayor took the second of two oaths of office Saturday from Chief Justice John Roberts in an ornate conference room at the high court, beneath a portrait of the legendary Chief Justice John Marshall. She swore a first oath in a private ceremony minutes earlier.
Sotomayor’s mother, brother, other relatives and friends joined her for the occasion.
In one oath, she promised to support and defend the Constitution. In the second, she pledged to “administer justice” fairly and impartially.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
