May 26, 2009 Sotomayor: From housing projects to Supreme Court nominee Play video

(NECN: Alison King) - President Barack Obama today revealed a historic choice for an open seat on the Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor would be the first hispanic to serve on the high court.

The 54-year-old has a long list of accomplishments. She did her undergrad at Princeton, and received her law degree at Yale.

Click here to watch Obama's announcement.

Click here to hear more from Sotomayor.

Sotomayor has a compelling American story to tell that begins with her upbringing in a Bronx housing project guided by her single mother. Her father died when she was nine.

Conservatives are gearing up to fight the nomination, calling her a liberal activist. Some are hoping to use her own words against her to make the point that she would legislate from the bench.

Historically, the court is where judges interpret the Constitution and apply the law. It should never be the place where "policy is made" as Judge Sotomayor has said.