"President Obama has demonstrated that with a strong commitment to education and hard work, everyone — Latinos, African-Americans, Asian and Whites — can aspire to the highest offices in this country," Quijano Dark said.

The chamber leader noted that here in Utah, where Latinos make up 12 percent of the population, there are four Latino senators and representatives in the state Legislature — an all-time high.

"It isn't just the token Hispanic anymore," she said.

And recently, she said, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce invited the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to enter into a partnership, something that has never happened before.

"I am hopeful that the dividing lines of racism are beginning to blur," Quijano Dark said. "I believe that Sotomayor serves as a wonderful example to our youth and is an inspiration to other minorities."

The day of the Sotomayor announcement, Quijano Dark was in a meeting with a women's working group. The news quickly turned the meeting into a party.

"Someone brought tortillas and salsa, someone else went out for soda," Quijano Dark said. "We knew we had something to celebrate."

Lee Benson's column runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com