Accomplishments:
- First Black chief justice of any state’s highest court
- First Vlack justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Final Word: After his election Nix said, “It shows that the people want ideas, that they are not interested in race, creed or color. I’m particularly impressed by the vote in the central counties. It is just unbelievable that a Philadelphia candidate won there. And a Black man!”
More on Nix: Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, Robert N.C. Nix, Jr.; The New York Times, “R. N. C. Nix Jr., 75, Groundbreaking Judge”
Reporting by Aly Kerrigan and Ethan Young.