They wore identical shirts, bright teal with Judge Ketanji Brown in the middle.
As her friends watched, Petee Talley explained to them why she was there, along with hundreds of other Black women, to support Jackson's nomination for the Supreme Court.
Biden nominated a woman who is highly qualified for the position. Talley, who resides in Toledo, Ohio, said that she has spent her entire life in preparation for this moment.
Jackson, if confirmed by the Senate would be the first Black woman to sit on the court's nearly 233-year-old history. This nomination fulfills a promise President Biden made during the 2020 presidential campaign to name the first Black woman on the court.
The news was received with enthusiasm by Black women in Washington and all across the U.S. It has also prompted fierce organizing on Jackson's behalf.
Interviews revealed that more than 12 Black women spoke out in support of Jackson and said they were ready to defend him against any Republican attacks.
Talley stated that she was afraid that Republicans would try to discredit Jackson in the confirmation process. This despite the fact she had been approved by the Senate for Jackson three times, two for federal courts, and one as a U.S. senator. Sentencing Commission.
"We want it to be fair. She is qualified, she is supremely qualified. We don't want any foolishness to be heard about anything because it'sn't there," she said.
Before there was a nominee, black women organized.
Black Women's Roundtable, along with other groups, organized the March 10 event outside of the Supreme Court. These groups were there to support Jackson and demand a smooth confirmation process.
Melanie Campbell, head of the Black Women's Roundtable led the group in a call-and-response.
"Who do YOU want to be confirmed?" Campbell asked the crowd to confirm their choice. The crowd roared "Ketanji Jackson," pausing for emphasis in between each Jackson-related part.
Many of the women in the crowd wore bold colours -- pink, green, royal, and crimson -- which are the colors of some of the historically Black sororities of the Divine Nine.
Bettianne Hart, dressed in the vibrant red of Delta Sigma Theta said that she was not sure she would ever see a Black woman nominate to the court.
"I am 73 years old. Hart, who is an Atlanta judge and has been practicing law since the 1960s, said, "I'm a child in the '60s and this is just my dream come true."
She stated that she will pray for Jackson at the confirmation hearings, as she believes Jackson is heading for a "very contentious" and "rude" process. Hart answered the question "History" when asked why she felt that way.
Hart said, gesturing behind herself towards the Supreme Court building, "Let's face the facts: What she stands for, what she represents, was never intended to be in the courts." Hart said, gesturing behind her towards the Supreme Court building. "She doesn't expect an easy trip. And neither do we."
This idea, the understanding that the process could look differently for Black women than it did for any Supreme Court nominees before her, is why Black women leaders claim they worked hard and strategized even before Biden announced Jackson would be his nominee.
Justice Stephen Breyer announced his intention to retire shortly after the Congressional Black Caucus established what its chair, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), described as a "warroom" to mobilize around Biden.
Beatty stated in an interview that "we wanted to make sure we were positioned and we had a voice" and that hearings should begin immediately. She also said that she was going to deal with any issue that wasn't above board in the confirmation hearings.
Beatty stated that it was especially important for the 28 Black women members of the caucus mobilize in support of Jackson. Jackson's confirmation will be decided by the Senate because there are no Black women serving in that position.
Beatty stated, "We will be present on every national platform," regardless of whether we are invited. "We will put ourselves there because the nation is watching."
History defense from attacks on the Senate and Fox News
These efforts highlight the importance of Jackson's historic nominating Black women who have been the Democratic Party’s most reliable voters for many years.
"We've spent a lot time talking about Black women voters being a powerful voting bloc but we also organize the house, block, sorority, and unions," stated Glynda Carr of Higher Heights for America. This group supports Black women in politics.
Carr stated that she is still hearing from Black women who are interested in being part of the process. They say they will travel to Washington to attend the confirmation hearings even though they can't physically be there.
She said, "There are Black women like, "I am coming to D.C.," "It is possible that I won't be able be in the hearing room, but it's something about being present in this moment. "
Juanita Tolliver, Democratic strategist, said that it was hard to express the joy many Black women feel for Jackson.
She's a Black woman who appears in Sisterlocks. Tolliver stated that she was a Black woman who shared her family's history and family's problems, which is something many Black Americans can relate to in this country. "And so, I believe that authenticity is what sparks a lot joy and a lot energy."
Tolliver was and was referring to Jackson’s uncle. He was sentenced to life imprisonment under a federal three strikes law that aimed at repeat drug offenders. President Barack Obama later commuted his sentence.
Jackson directly addressed the issue when she addressed the nation as the president's Supreme Court nominee.
"You may have heard that one uncle was a drug dealer and was sentenced to life. Jackson stated, "But law enforcement runs in my family."
Biden's repeated statement that he would name the first Black woman to this court drew criticism from Republicans who said that it should be determined solely on merit and not on race or gender.
"If he said, "I'm going to put the best jurists on the court," and he looked at several people and ended up nominating Black women, he could credibly state, "Sen. Ted Cruz, R.Texas said in a podcast episode. He's not pretending to say it. He said, "If you are a white man, it is tough luck." Tough luck if you're a woman of color. You don't qualify.' "
However, Tucker Carlson, Fox News host and Fox News commentator, made a comment that resonated with Black women. Jackson's first name was mocked by Carlson, who demanded to see Jackson's LSAT scores. Many Black women raised alarm bells after this comment. They claimed that it was clearly racist and that the same standard was not applied for white nominees before Jackson.
Tara Setmayer, a conservative who broke away from the Republican Party many years ago, stated that this is the type of misogyny that Republicans often apply towards women of color and Black women. It's just a reminder of the old tropes they use, unfortunately."
Setmayer stated that Republican senators should concentrate on Jackson's rulings during the confirmation hearings.
Biden hasn’t always praised the historical impact his Supreme Court pick could have on America's history.
Some Black women and Black legislators are supporting Jackson, but others say they want to see the White House and Vice President Biden take a stronger stance to support the first Black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
Many have pointed out that Biden did not mention the nomination in his recent State of the Union address. Biden called Jackson "one of the nation's top lawyers, who will continue Justice Breyer’s legacy of excellence." Tolliver pointed out that he did not take into account the history Jackson was entering.
"I did a double-take. "I did a double take. I replied, "Oh, is it?" It felt like it deserved a lot more space, both for its historic nature and the political implications," Tolliver stated.
She expressed hope that the White House will marshal all its resources to support Jackson next week and raise Jackson's profile more forcefully.
Tolliver stated that he should use every opportunity to defend her against racist and misogynistic attacks at the confirmation hearings, as well as to celebrate her after this confirmation has been completed.
Gwendolyn of Maryland, who is a member Swing Phi Swing, stated that she was there to show the Senate that Black women are deeply concerned about the confirmation process.
Jackson's nomination was a step forward, she said.
Thompson stated, "I can remember when there wasn't a man on Mars. If you get what I'm saying." It's a step. Although we don't live on the moon, we have taken a step.
Jackson's next step will be four days of confirmation hearings that start Monday.
