Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court, will be the recipient of the 2015 Hepburn prize, named for the iconic late actress Katherine Hepburn. The annual prize is awarded by Bryn Mawr College, a renowned women's liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. Hepburn, as well as her mother, were graduates of the college.
In the announcement, Bryn Mawr president Kim Cassidy said the prize is given to women "who change their world." Cassidy said of Sotomayor: “Her twenty-year commitment to the federal judiciary reveals her unwavering commitment both to public service and the importance of the legal system in our society and exemplifies the attributes deserving of the Hepburn Medal. Equally important, Justice Sotomayor’s many opinions from the bench, whether in the majority or expressing critical interests from a dissent, exhibit wisdom, an unflinching commitment to justice, and a fundamental dedication to real equality in our diverse society."
Sotomayor, who has spoken extensively about her Puerto Rico background and written a memoir, "My Beloved World," will receive the medal on April 17.
IN-DEPTH:
In memoir, Sonia Sotomayor reveals childhood struggles and fighting spirit
Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, paves the way forward