0
The primary reasons so few women and other diverse people have served on the US Supreme Court is past discrimination and the justices' long tenure on the Court.
Some of the other groups previously excluded from serving were Jews, Italians, African-Americans, Latinos, and many other people who are part of our rich cultural tapestry.
To put things in perspective, the US Supreme Court has seated only 112 justices in the entire history of the Court -- that's 221 years (as of December 31, 2010). For most of that time, the country was dominated by white, protestant males. This is reflected in the historical composition of the Court.
The Civil Rights Movement, which many of us associate solely with African-Americans, helped break down barriers preventing all so-called "minority groups" from fully participating in government. But the change is recent, slow and ongoing.
Seven Jewish people, two African-Americans, four women, and one Latina doesn't seem to represent much diversity, but considering how recently these people were considered viable candidates, and how infrequently a vacancy opens on the Supreme Court, the statistics are actually positive.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the issue in the four important cases the Supreme Court is about to review?
Supreme Court will review cases from four states on the freedom to marry.
How many US Supreme Court justices must agree to hear an appeal?
The US Supreme Court determines whether to hear a case according to the Rule of Four. If at least four of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court agree, they will grant certiorari and hear the case.
Was Justice Sotomayor the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court?
No, Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the third woman appointed to the US Supreme Court. President Reagan appointed Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman to serve on the Court in 1981; President Clinton appointed Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 1993; President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and Elena Kagan in 2010. In all, four women have served on the US Supreme Court; three are still active.
What is the Rule of Four in the US Supreme Court?
The Rule of Four means four of the nine justices must agree to hear a case in order for it to be accepted on appeal. If four or more justices think the case is worth the Court's time, then the Supreme Court will issue a writ of certiorari to the lower court ordering them to send the case files to the Supreme Court, and the case will be placed on the docket.
What was the supreme court of ruling in the Terry Shiavo Case?
The Supreme Court of the United States refused to review four appeals.
Who was the US Supreme Court Justice Franklin Pierce?
Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth President of the United States (1853-1857), was never a Supreme Court justice. He was a Democratic Senator from New Hampshire prior to serving as President, and a longtime member of the New Hampshire Legislature before that. You may be thinking of Supreme Court Justice Pierce Butler, who was appointed to the US Supreme Court by Woodrow Wilson in 1922 and served until his death in 1939. He was infamous as one of the conservative "four horsemen" of the Supreme Court who overturned President Roosevelt's New Deal legislation as unconstitutional.
Which US Presidents did not appoint a justice to the Supreme Court?
Four US Presidents did not appoint any Supreme Court justices:William H. HarrisonZachary TaylorAndrew JohnsonJimmy CarterJimmy Carter is the only President of the four who served a full term.
What are four types of court in the Bahamas?
1. Commissioner's court 2. Magistrates' court 3. Supreme Court 4. Juvenile court
How does a US Supreme Court case start?
US Supreme Court cases are initiated when a minimum of four justices agree to grant a petition for writ of certiorari.
How many justices will have to agree before the Court will accept a case?
The US Supreme Court determines whether to hear a case according to the Rule of Four. If at least four of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court agree, they will grant certiorari and hear the case.
How many US Supreme Court justices have been white males?
Four. There have only been four women, total, on the US Supreme Court in the nation's history. President Reagan appointed Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice in 1981.Sandra Day O'Connor (1981 - 2006, retired)Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993 - active)Sonia Sotomayor (2009 - active)Elena Kagan (2010 - active)
How many women have held the title Chief Justice in the history of the US Supreme Court?
There has not yet been a female Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. The Court has only seated four women in its history; three are currently active.Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (retired 2006)Justice Ruth Bader Ginsgurg (active)Justice Sonia Sotomayor (active)Justice Elena Kagan (active)
