by Logan Snook
Let’s start off the final week of Women’s History Month a woman who was a staple to the U.S. Supreme Court – Sandra Day O’Connor!
Not only was O’Connor the first woman appointed as Justice to the Supreme Court, but she was known for holding the deciding vote on many court cases. O’Connor was nominated for by President Ronald Regan in 1981, after promising to appoint the first woman to the highest Supreme Court during his campaign.
O’Connor’s early childhood years were spent on her family’s cattle ranch in Texas – living in a house with no running water, electricity, or indoor plumbing. She credits these formative years of her life to her success, teaching her the importance of simplicity, practicality, hard work, and independence. It was here her aspirations to become a lawyer began, fueled by encouragement from her father.
She attended Stanford University for her undergraduate, as well as her LL.B, completing her schooling in 1951. Following her graduation, O’Connor was relentless in applying for positions. She was denied interviews with 40 law firms – all on the basis that she was a woman. Not to be deterred, O’Connor continued to send out applications, and was hired as the Deputy County Attorney of San Mateo County, California from 1952–1953, and Civilian Attorney for the Quartermaster Market Center in Frankfurt, Germany from 1954–1957. O’Connor returned from Germany in 1958 to Arizona, where she worked in private practice before being appointed Assistant Attorney General of Arizona from 1965–1969. From 1969-1975, she served two terms in the Arizona State Senate. In 1973, she was elected the first female state majority leader for the Republican party. From 1975-1979, O’Connor was appointed Judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court, and from here she was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals from 1979-1981.
Anyone else blown away? Did I almost mention that O’Connor is also a mother of 3 sons, and married to a fellow lawyer?
At the time of her nomination, O’Connor was 51 years old, receiving unanimous approval from the Senate. Despite this, and despite her incredible career, she did not feel was fit for the position – a notion she soon proved to be false. She held this position for a quarter of a century, retiring in 2006. During her tenure, O’Connor was known for being a decisive swing vote on many occasions, providing the deciding vote for many cases.
O’Connor created an incredible legacy for women, and inspired many to pursue their goals. When she appointed to the Supreme Court, 36% of students attending law school were woman. By her retirement in 2006, that number rose to 48%. She is still active today, lecturing on the government and legal issues across the country.
O’Connor’s life goal is: “Work at work worth doing.” Safe to safe she has lived up that.