By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The U.S. Senate confirmed Upper West Sider Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, making her just the fourth woman ever to serve on the nation's highest court.
Kagan, 50, was approved by a mostly partisan vote of 63-37 and will replace Justice John Paul Stevens who retired in June.
Five Republicans joined 56 Democrats in support of Kagan's confirmation; one Democrat, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska crossed party lines to vote against her.
“Her qualifications, intelligence, temperament and judgment will make her a worthy successor to Justice John Paul Stevens,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said according to the New York Times.
Kagan grew up in Manhattan and attended Hunter College High School on the Upper East Side. She also served as the Dean of Harvard Law School before being appointed by President Barack Obama as the nation's first female solicitor general.
"Throughout Ms. Kagan's remarkable career she has demonstrated great leadership, integrity and intelligence, and these qualities will continue to serve her well on our nation's highest court," Gov. David Paterson said in a statement congratulating the New York native.
Throughout the confirmation process, most Senate Republicans opposed Kagan's nomination saying she was too liberal for the role and lacked sufficient experience.
Kagan's confirmation also marks the first time three women will sit on the Supreme Court at the same time.