Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman on the Supreme Court, dies at 93
Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, passed away at the age of 93.
A Trailblazer and Public Servant
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, has died at the age of 93. Chief Justice John Roberts called her a "beloved colleague" and praised her as an independent defender of the rule of law.
Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, O'Connor was a crucial swing vote on divisive issues and played a key role in landmark decisions involving abortion and affirmative action.
Despite her retirement, O'Connor remained an advocate for civics education and founded the organization iCivics in 2009 to promote civic learning.
A Legacy of Influence
During her 24-year tenure on the Supreme Court, O'Connor was known for being the deciding vote in many cases. Her joint opinion in the 1992 decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey reaffirmed the constitutional right to abortion, while also allowing states to impose certain restrictions.
However, the court's current makeup has led to a reversal of some of these landmark decisions, including the recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
In addition to her influential role on the court, O'Connor also wrote the majority opinion in the 2003 case Grutter v. Bollinger, which allowed the use of race in college admissions decisions.
A Life of Achievement
Born in El Paso, Texas, in 1930, O'Connor overcame gender barriers throughout her career. She graduated third in her class at Stanford Law School and struggled to find a job due to her gender.
After her appointment to the Supreme Court, O'Connor served for 24 years before retiring in 2006 to care for her husband, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Following her retirement, she dedicated herself to promoting civics education.
O'Connor's impact and legacy on American constitutional law will continue to be felt, and her trailblazing spirit will always be remembered.
