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PRESIDENT MATOS RODRIGUEZ AT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR’S INVESTITURE

On September 8th, 2009, Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez was privileged to be one of 200 invited guests at the investiture of the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Considerable attention has been given to the fact that Justice Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and only the third woman to be appointed to our nation’s highest court; also, that she had more prior judicial experience at the time of her appointment than any other justice in the court’s history.

Earlier this year, when the name Sotomayor suddenly became a household word, another member of the family was swept up in the whirlwind of publicity that followed.  Here and abroad, people were touched and inspired by the American-dream success story of a widowed mother who enrolled in a nursing program at a community college in the Bronx in order to support her children and pay for their education.  During the hearing, Sonia Sotomayor said of her mother:

“I am here today because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother Juan and me.  She taught us that the key to success in America is a good education.  And she set the example, studying alongside my brother and me at our kitchen table, so that she could become a registered nurse.”

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College was there when Celina Sotomayor needed us; and 36 years after her graduation, we are still providing our students with access to higher education leading to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility.

At a private reception following the investiture ceremony, Dr. Matos Rodríguez had an opportunity to speak with both the Sotomayors.  After talking with Celina about her memories of Hostos, he reminded the Justice of her invitation to address the graduating class at the college’s thirty-ninth commencement ceremony in June of 2010.  She assured him that, if her schedule permits it, both mother and daughter will be there.

Whether Justice Sotomayor can be at Hostos next June or on some other occasion, the college community is sure to be challenged and motivated by this distinguished and caring Latina who has broken barriers and is making history.

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