On June 25, 1954, an aspiring, intellectual, ambitious woman was placed on this earth to sincerely touch the hearts and lives of many individuals across the Tri state area. Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, has instantly became an American icon. With her astonishing and intriguing life story, she has indeed, without a doubt impacted my life. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, as a Puerto Rican descendant, Sotomayor played as huge role model to many Puerto Rican's such as herself.

In the first excerpt of her book entitled "My Beloved World", Sonia Sotomayor talks about her childhood life growing up in the Bronx and how she lived her life evolving with diabetes. At the age of eight, she "was diagnosed with diabetes". To her Family "the disease was a deadly curse. But to [her] it was more a threat to the already fragile world of [her] childhood. Being the strong woman that she is, Sotomayor proclaimed that "the disease also inspired in [her] a kind of precocious self-reliance that is not uncommon in children who feel the adults around them to be unreliable". By stating this, it is clear that she had a big heart. For someone to inevitably think of a disease as something other is quite astonishing. She was indeed seemingly strong and decisive.

After hearing Sotomayor's heartfelt journey from conformity to manhood, I was deeply moved by her integrity, keenness and fortuity to substantially be somebody in life. A little girl with big hopes and dreams, eagerly willing to take on all life's challenges thrown at her. She clearly had a passion for greatness and to acquire all the fine things in life. Rather than a mere option in life, Sotomayor sought out on her journey from conformity to make success a necessity. She did not let the asset of not having money play a huge role in her life or let her surroundings mold her into something/someone she was not. Instead, she used it as a motivational aspect to better herself. Just like Sotomayor, I had a very rough and arduous childhood growing up but I did not let that determine my future and ultimately stop me from striving for excellence. Instead, I used it as a sole mechanism to help drive me to the top, pushing me to never give up. I was on my grind. In A talk with justice Sonia Sotomayor, she made a remark saying "If you start out your life not believing, not believing in yourself, not believing that you can actually live in a better world, it's not going to be a very happy life for you". The impetus effect of these words just sunk into my brain like a sponge soaking up water. I was immediately provoked by these words as they spoke to me. I came to the realization and acknowledgement that in order for me to fulfill my aspiration in life to be happy, I must believe that it could and will happen for me. I can do anything I put my mind to, just got to believe. Believing in yourself is the first step to success. Do not let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.

Obstacles are put in your way to see if what you want is actually worth fighting for. Through the troubles and tribulations in life, never lose hope or faith. Every mans day would come. Sotomayor deeply encouraged me to have faith in my abilities and to always trust my instincts. In her book My Beloved World, Sotomayor stated, "my father's neglect made me sad, but I intuitively understood that he could not help himself; my mother's neglect made me mad at her" (16). I can relate to this in so many ways. I too was neglected by my father as he was never a part of my life and I always wondered about why he did not stay to see me grow and mold into the beautiful, talented young lady that I am today. But even though my mom was around, I still felt neglected by her as she was never around. I was raised by my grandmother in Barbados from the age of two. I was back and forth ever since and only decided to stay the year of 2010. My days, weeks, months and years do not compare to life in Barbados with my grandmother. My mother is here but at the same time she is not. To her I am simply invisible. She do not acknowledge my presence, my greatness or even my ambitious ways to succeed in life. Me doing good is like whatever to her. Never once has she been to a school meeting, took me to the doctor when needed or even sit to have a talk with me about my days at school. My sister played the mom role instead of a big sister like she really was. Never did I get a hug, saying 'I'm so proud of you Katress, keep up the good work'. All came from my grandmother in Barbados every night she calls. She is the only person I have in my life that truly understands me and that I know for a fact will never let me down or give up on me. She is my mom, my best friend, my world my everything. I live and strive for excellence for her. If it was not for her I would not be here today. After hearing Sotomayor's story, she encouraged me to be strong and be wise. And to never loose hope that things will get better because as she said, "find the impulse to give, and that impulse to make something around you better...brings true happiness". I have a drive and impulse in me to be happy and successful in life. Make my grandmother proud before her time has come to pass and I will not stop till I see this true. I do it all for her.

Every word of Sotomayor's judgement was unbiased. Her amazing unique life journey in this world is utterly remarkable and clearly adds to her Embracing personality. As she sit on that bench she described, wearing the black robe of a supreme court justice and ignoring all intimate components and impediments, thus clearly making a completely equitable decision that is so tenacious and credible that is does not require to be questioned by anyone. She is truly a blessing in disguise and I hope that one day I will be able to be as strong, confident and forgiving as she was. Everything takes time and I am willing to wait. She deeply inspired me, giving me the willpower to keep on keepin on and to never stop trying to be all that I can be in life. Her story spoke to me in way I may never be able to explain and put in words, but all I can truly say is that the very day I sat and listen to the very words she uttered in silence and out loud in her interviews and memoirs about her life, I was deeply moved. She gave me hope that no one has been able to provide me with before. It was her tremendous work ethic and her valiant effort to battle juvenile diabetes that helped Sotomayor excel on school, and just like her, I am going to use my own to battle all the negativity in my life and continue to do the best that I can to ultimately succeed in life.