In the history of the United States there have been 112 Supreme Court justices. Clearly, a small group of individuals who have had such a profound impact on all of our lives.

The newest member to this list is Ketanji Brown Jackson, who joined the court in June 2022.

Her memoir Lovely One (Random House, 2024) gives hope that the American Dream is still achievable—that you can become anything you want in this country.

Jackson set her sights on becoming a member of this court at an early age. That’s not something most people aspire to. For years it was off limits to women and people of color. When Jackson learned about Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman to be appointed a federal judge, she found a role model, an inspiration.

It does make a difference that young people in particular see people who look like them in all types of jobs. It provides an unconscious awareness that they too could be a member of that profession.

As the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Jackson is now providing that inspiration to little girls who look like her.

Her story is worth learning about. Her upbringing, college, work life, personal life—all interesting.

Jackson’s story isn’t without hardship. Like anyone, there are good and bad times. Being a working mom with a husband who has an equally demanding job as a surgeon is full of all the conflicting emotions every working mom has.

Overall, what I was left with is her sense of being driven, of having a solid foundation, of being a woman of reason who cares. Her story really is what makes America great.

Listening to the book, which she narrates, added to the overall experience.