Let's Talk /Mrs. Jackson is the first Black woman selected for the Supreme court

On February 25th, the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden is nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson  to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson, who currently serves as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and who the White House described as an "exceptionally qualified" nominee is poised to become the first Black woman to serve on the nation's highest court.

Though Black women are underrepresented as judges in the nation's court system, Jackson's nomination marks the lastest milestone in the history of Black women lawyers that date back 150 years. For many, civil rights was a major motivation for practicing law. With this in mind, TIME asked historians what women paved the way for this moment?

"For too long our government and our courts haven't looked like America," Biden said while introducing Jackson on Friday. "I believe it's time we have a court that reflects the full talents and greatness of our nation, with a nominee of extraordinary qualifications."