The reason why they used that phrase is because that is how she refers to herself. She likes to say, isn't America great, I rose from being an Arizona cow girl to the highest court in the land. When I heard her speak she referred to that a few times. And yes, I have heard this kind of phrase used many times to compliment people of achievement, including men. "He was just a poor farm boy and now look where he is... etc." It is meant as a compliment, so pull that PC overly sensitive stick out of your derrier.
