On June 21, 1991, President Bush appointed Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong to the United States District Court. With her appointment, she became the first African-American woman to serve on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Saundra Brown Armstrong was born and raised in Oakland, California. She was the second oldest of five children. Judge Armstrong's parents were the strongest influences in her life, and they had a significant impact on her life decisions. In particular, Judge Armstrong notes:

Foremost, my parents provided a tremendously loving and supportive home environment which instilled in each of us positive, secure and confident self-concepts. It was this climate that enabled us to benefit from the other valuable lessons which they taught us by example. Education was a priority in our home. In addition to their tremendous financial sacrifices, my parents continuously reinforced the importance of education, hard work and determination in ensuring a successful future. A constant theme in our home was that we would be as successful as we made up our minds to be-no more, no less.

Source: http://jtbf.net/index.php?src=directory&view=biographies&srctype=display&refno=32