The passing of Sandra Day O’Connor on December 1, 2018, at the age of 93 marked the end of an era in American jurisprudence and history.
As the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, she was not only a trailblazer, but a transformative figure who reshaped the landscape of American law and paved the way for future generations of women in the legal profession. Her contributions have been recognized and celebrated not only in the legal community but also in the wider context of social progress and gender equality.
O’Connor’s legacy is defined by her prominent role as a moderate voice on the Supreme Court, where she often served as the decisive swing vote in hotly contested cases. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, she quickly established herself as a formidable and balanced jurist whose decisions had a profound impact on American legal precedents. Her tenure was marked by a pragmatic approach to complex issues, from affirmative action to abortion rights, reflecting her deep understanding of the law and her commitment to justice.
Born March 26, 1930, in El Paso, Texas, O’Connor’s early life on a cattle ranch instilled in her a strong work ethic and sense of determination that defined her career. The experiences of growing up in a male-dominated environment shaped her resilience and prepared her for the challenges she would face in the legal field. Her academic achievements, including early acceptance to Stanford University and a subsequent law degree, were a testament to her intellectual prowess and enthusiasm.
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female justice of the United States, was instrumental in opening the doors to women in the legal profession, according to a statement by Chief Justice John Roberts.
“She approached this challenge with resolute determination, undeniable skill, and fascinating honesty.” “The Supreme Court expresses grief over the death of a highly esteemed colleague who stood for the principles of justice and vehemently argued for the inclusion of civic education,” he said.
Before her death, O’Connor had the distinction of being the last surviving judge to serve on Burger’s court. The Burger Court, under Chief Justice Warren Burger, was active from 1969 to 1986.
O’Connor was born in El Paso, Texas on March 26, 1930. Her parents were Harry Day and Ada Mae Day. She was raised in the cowgirl lifestyle.
O’Connor gained extensive knowledge of ranch life and immersed herself in its culture while growing up on a cattle ranch that lacked running water until the age of seven.
Every day she engaged in activities such as milking cows, riding horses, and shooting coyotes. She often reflected on the ways in which her time spent working on the ranch contributed to the development of her strong work ethic.
She previously stated that her preference was to participate in cattle drives among the predominantly male troop.
“The initial experience of becoming a member of an exclusive male-only organization.” This has become a familiar experience for her throughout her professional journey.
O’Connor attended Stanford University in 1946 at the age of 16. Upon graduation, she achieved the sixth-highest rank in her high school class.
She graduated high school with honors in 1950 and then went on to study law at Stanford University. Her acceptance into the program allowed her to begin her studies during her senior year.
She was among only four women to complete the task.
During her senior year of law school, O’Connor met John Jay O’Connor III, who would later become her husband. O’Connor graduated and they married less than six months later in 1952.
They were married for 52 years before his passing in 2009.
Their three offspring were born between 1957 and 1962. The individuals were named Scott, Brian, and Jay.
Despite her academic success, O’Connor faced difficulty securing employment after graduation due to the predominantly male nature of the sector.
For a time she was employed by the San Mateo County Government. In 1954, she and her husband moved to Germany, where he worked as a military lawyer. After a period of three years, they moved to the United States, where O’Connor became actively involved in politics in his newly adopted region.
By 1969, O’Connor had accumulated four years of experience as an assistant attorney general, was active in the Maricopa County Young Republicans organization, and contributed to former Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign. After a vacancy in the Arizona state senate, the governor selected O’Connor to fill the position.
In 1972, she successfully ran for re-election and became the inaugural leader of the women’s party in the Arizona State Senate.
She was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court for a two-year term. After another four years, she was subsequently appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Reagan was bound to fulfill his commitment to select an inaugural female Supreme Court justice. O’Connor distinguished herself as a well-rounded and centrist Republican who agreed with his position on abortion.
The opening of her Supreme Court nomination hearing was held on September 9, 1981. It was a televised inaugural hearing.
After three days, the Senate unanimously approved her nomination.
O’Connor wrote 645 opinions for the Supreme Court during her 24-year tenure.
They covered a diverse range of topics, including voting rights, religious freedom, and abortion.
On O’Connor’s initial appointment to the court, she typically aligned herself with the Conservative faction.
However, currently, she would be seen as a moderate by many individuals due to her occasional alignment with liberal views.
She authored the prevailing affirmative action decision, Grutter v. Bollinger. She discussed the benefits and significant strengths of a diverse student population. However, it agreed with the conservative majority in its decision to invalidate a comparable policy in Gratz v. Bollinger.
O’Connor notably agreed with the majority decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey and upheld both the constitutionality of state-imposed abortion restrictions and the precedent of Roe v. Wade. However, it is notable that 11 years ago she informed Reagan of her belief that abortion is
“Personally disgusting.”
O’Connor championed states’ rights and often aligned her views with those of William Rehnquist, who served as Chief Justice during this period.
After her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2005, she announced her resignation to the Supreme Court.
Justice Samuel Alito took her position about eighteen months later, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon her retirement.
She subsequently reported to The Wall Street Journal,
“I resigned because I no longer felt able to continue in my position.”
After her retirement, O’Connor remained active by serving as a judge on a federal appeals court, serving as chancellor at The College of William & Mary, and advocating for a greater emphasis on civics education.
In 2018, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with dementia and subsequently continued to lead a quiet lifestyle.
Her three sons, Scott, Brian, and Jay, as well as her six grandchildren, will miss her presence.
In addition to her judicial achievements, O’Connor’s influence extended to her advocacy for civic education and her role in mentoring future generations of legal professionals. Her resignation from the Supreme Court, driven by personal challenges, did not diminish her commitment to public service. Instead, she continued to contribute to the legal field and education, reflecting her enduring passion for the principles of democracy and justice.
Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacy is one of pioneering spirit, intellectual rigor, and compassion. Her contributions to the legal profession and her influence on American jurisprudence will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come. As we reflect on her life and career, we honor not only her accomplishments but also the path she blazed for future women in law and the enduring principles she championed.