After the Senate vote on April 7, 2022, to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination, LWV-PA wanted to celebrate this historic appointment of the first Black woman to the Court. February was the perfect month: We could host a triple celebration for Justice Jackson, Black History Month, and the League’s 103rd birthday.
Echoing Justice Jackson’s commitment to those who are often overlooked, LWV-PA offered tickets below cost and our goal was to celebrate Justice Jackson’s historic appointment rather than to raise money. Many of our members and guests took advantage of the reduced price, and we were able to fill the Mijares’ banquet room with people ready to party. At the entry there was a feeling of celebration as folks greeted each other and looked at interesting books about Justice Jackson, Ida B. Wells, and poetry by Langston Hughes that would be available as part of an opportunity drawing with TEN different winners.
The banquet room was festive with the traditional African colors of black, green, gold, and red for the tablecloths and napkins as well as red, yellow, and green flowers in the vases, which were encircled with African designs of the same colors. Around the room were four posters created by LWV-PA member John McPhee featuring Harriet Tubman, Justice Jackson, a Black History Month poster with images of Black women both famous and unknown, and a “Women Behind the Words” poster commemorating many of the suffragists who were active in securing the Nineteenth Amendment. These posters are available; contact the LWV-PA office at office [at] lwv-pa.org if you are interested.
Those who participated in this event reflected our celebration of Black History Month. We were entertained by local Black jazz musician Michael Haggins, who graciously donated one of his CDs for our opportunity drawing and insisted on giving nine-year-old Rogelio Solis a CD when Rogelio gave Michael a tip. Straight Dough Cookie Company created beautifully packaged cookies with a photo of Justice Jackson on top, and co-owner Jamelle Peck joined our celebration. We were also pleased to welcome Nikki High, owner of Octavia’s Bookshelf, which just opened Saturday, February 18, with over 300 people attending the opening day ceremonies. When I was there several days later, numerous folks were buying books while Spectrum news was filming. A gift certificate from the store was part of our opportunity drawing. Our inspiring speaker, J. Mira Hashmall is a member of the California Minority Counsel Program and has been named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California. She has served on the Board of the LWV of Greater Los Angeles. She is also the daughter of LWV-PA Events Director Katherine Gavzy.
Sharing a connection to the Supreme Court, Hashmall had worked alongside esteemed legal scholar Erwin Chemerinsky as he prepared to present a case before the Supreme Court. She also shared thoughts about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s journey to her historic Supreme Court appointment and her ever-present commitment to helping those who are often underserved. Justice Jackson is the first Supreme Court justice to have served as a public defender. Hashmall reminded us of the sad fact that although eminently qualified, Justice Jackson had to work harder than others to prove her qualifications because she is a woman and Black. Having excelled throughout her career, Justice Jackson met the congressional confirmation hearings with grace, perseverance, and thoughtful, honest answers to tough and at times insensitive or irrelevant questions. She has already made a name for herself with some of her statements for the Court.
Reflecting our goal of citizen involvement in the political process, we welcomed several elected officials from our area communities, including Alhambra Mayor Adele Andrade-Stadler, Alhambra City Councilmember Sasha Renée Pérez, Altadena Town Council Chair Veronica Jones, Altadena Town Councilmember Nic Arnzen, Monrovia City Councilmember Tamala Kelly, Pasadena City College Trustee Kristine Kwong, Pasadena City Vice Mayor Felicia Williams, Pasadena Unified School District Board member Patrice McKenzie. It was also wonderful to have so many non-members as our guests. Three of our guests became members: Ann Marie Hickambottom, Sasha Renée Pérez, and Virginia Wexman. Welcome to LWV Pasadena Area!
Our triple celebration was a huge success, with a room full of enthusiastic multi-ethnic members and guests. Although not designed as a fundraiser, the proceeds more than covered the reduced ticket price. Hardworking LWV-PA volunteers made this event possible, including Kay Adams, Marcia Baldeschwieler, Kim Cubero, Mildred Dockery, Katherine Gavzy, Maureen Johnston, Valerie Jones, Veronica Jones, Ruth Judkins, Karen Roberson, Gail Rolf, Marty Ruane, Vicki Thompson, Martha Zavala, and Treasurer Joe DesBarres.
—Marilynne Wilander, Chair, Membership Committee
