Lovely One

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism. 

Jackson portrays herself as a “striver,” revealing that her intense work ethic has always been a major part of her identity. By describing her belief in the value of hard work, especially in the face of discrimination and adversity, Jackson traces a relationship between ambition, resilience, and achievement.

According to Jackson, she learned the value of ambition from both of her parents, and she credits them for setting a positive example for her by striving themselves: Her father became a lawyer and her mother a school principal despite being raised in segregated Florida during the 1940s and 1950s. Jackson connects her hardworking nature with the deep confidence and resilience that her mother helped her develop. She recalls her mother’s advice in difficult circumstances: “No, you go out there and do it, Ketanji. Don’t give in to the doubts” (45). With this as her mantra, Jackson progressed from Harvard Law School to the Supreme Court, fueled by her dedication to excellence and the law.

Reflecting on this journey, she describes sleepless nights and long periods of working all day, every day, in countless jobs, from

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