President Barack Obama named Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his choice to replace retiring Justice David Souter.

The nomination has been called a reward for Latino activists who have long sought a Latino justice on the high court. It is also likely to draw opposition from Republican groups who have called her a “liberal judicial activist” who “thinks judges should dictate policy”.

If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor would be the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and only the third woman.