Judge Sonia Sotomayor is poised to become the third female and first Latino member of the United States Supreme Court. When confirmed, Judge Sotomayor (only the third person of color to be nominated to the Court) will make history, but also bring new perspectives and experiences to enrich the Court’s deliberations.  This is great news for women and for the immigrant melting pot that is America. I watched her confirmation hearing with pride in her nomination and her deportment.

On a much less publicized front, I was equally impressed and proud of  Major Jennifer Grieves, the first female pilot of Marine One, the helicopter that transports the President and his family. Grieves was designated the helicopter aircraft commander of Marine One in May, 2008 and served the maximum time allowed (14 months) by the Marines in that capacity. On her last day of service on Marine One, she was given an all female crew to fly with to honor her achievement, along with personal congratulations from President Obama.

So women continue to break barriers, while we continue to yearn for the day that these occasions are unremarkable in their normalcy. Until then – Go Sisters Go!