Early Life

Sandra Day O’Connor was born on March 26, 1930, in El Paso, Texas. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Arizona, where life was tough and isolated. Despite this, she learned responsibility, hard work, and independence at an early age. She later attended Stanford University, graduating with a degree in economics and then a law degree in 1952. At the time, very few women studied law, and it was difficult for her to find work as a lawyer simply because she was a woman.

Legal Career

Sandra began her career doing unpaid work at the county attorney’s office before eventually building her way up. She worked in Arizona’s state government, serving as assistant attorney general and later as a state senator. She became the first woman to serve as the majority leader in a state senate. Later, she worked as a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals.

First Woman on the Supreme Court

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’Connor to the United States Supreme Court. She was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 99-0, making her the first woman ever to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. This was a historic moment in U.S. history and opened the doors for more women in the field of law and government.

Supreme Court Work

As a justice, O’Connor was known for being fair, practical, and often the deciding vote in many close cases. She did not always side with one political viewpoint, but instead looked carefully at each case. Her decisions had a major impact on issues like women’s rights, voting rights, and the role of government.

Later Years

O’Connor retired from the Court in 2006 to care for her husband, who was ill with Alzheimer’s disease. After retiring, she worked on projects to improve civic education and encourage young people to learn about the U.S. government. She passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 93.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Sandra Day O’Connor’s appointment to the Supreme Court so important in U.S. history?
2. What challenges did she face as a woman entering the field of law in the 1950s?
3. How did O’Connor’s background growing up on a ranch shape her character and work ethic?
4. Why is civic education important, and why do you think O’Connor focused on it after retirement?

Glossary

• Supreme Court: The highest court in the United States, which makes final decisions on laws and rights.
• Nominate: To formally suggest someone for a position or honor.
• Majority leader: The leader of the political party with the most seats in a legislature.
• Civic education: Learning about the rights and duties of citizens and how government works.
• Alzheimer’s disease: A disease that affects memory and thinking, often in older adults.

Five Interesting Facts

• She was the first woman to ever serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
• She grew up on a remote cattle ranch that had no running water or electricity at first.
• She graduated near the top of her class at Stanford Law School but struggled to find a job because of gender discrimination.
• O’Connor often cast the deciding vote in close 5-4 Supreme Court cases.
• She created a website called iCivics to help students learn about government.

Timeline

• 1930: Born in El Paso, Texas.
• 1952: Graduated from Stanford Law School.
• 1969: Appointed assistant attorney general of Arizona.
• 1981: Nominated and confirmed as the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
• 2006: Retired from the Supreme Court.
• 2023: Passed away at the age of 93.