Sandra Day O'Connor
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
1930 - 2023
First woman to serve on the Supreme Court, O'Connor was the pivotal swing vote who shaped constitutional law on abortion, affirmative action, and federalism for a generation.
Biography
Sandra Day O'Connor served on the Supreme Court from 1981 to 2006, after being nominated by President Reagan as the first woman Justice. A graduate of Stanford Law School (where she was classmates with future Chief Justice William Rehnquist), O'Connor initially struggled to find legal employment because of her gender—the only job offer she received from a law firm was as a legal secretary.
O'Connor became the Court's crucial swing vote on many of the most divisive issues of her era. Her pragmatic, case-by-case approach frustrated ideologues on both sides but gave her enormous influence. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), she co-authored the joint opinion that preserved the core of Roe v. Wade while replacing the trimester framework with the undue burden standard. In Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), she wrote the majority opinion upholding affirmative action in higher education.
O'Connor's jurisprudence reflected her background as a state legislator and judge. She was particularly attuned to federalism concerns, often voting to limit federal power while preserving state flexibility. Her practical, consensus-oriented approach made her one of the most powerful Justices of the late twentieth century.
Major Accomplishments
- 1First woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court
- 2Pivotal swing vote on abortion, affirmative action, and religious liberty
- 3Co-authored the joint opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)
- 4Upheld affirmative action in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)
- 5Served as Arizona state senator and state judge before the Court
Notable Opinions & Cases
Planned Parenthood v. Casey (joint opinion)
1992
Preserved the essential holding of Roe v. Wade and introduced the undue burden standard
Grutter v. Bollinger
2003
Upheld the use of race as one factor in university admissions to achieve educational diversity
New York v. United States
1992
Established the anti-commandeering doctrine, limiting federal power over state governments
Bush v. Gore (concurrence)
2000
Joined the majority in the controversial decision that effectively decided the 2000 presidential election
Legacy
O'Connor shattered the glass ceiling at the highest level of the American legal system. Her practical, centrist jurisprudence shaped constitutional law on the most contentious issues of her era. Beyond her legal contributions, she devoted her post-retirement years to promoting civic education, founding iCivics to teach young people about government and the Constitution.
Famous Quotes
“The power I exert on the Court depends on the power of my arguments, not on my gender.”
“We don't accomplish anything in this world alone... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life.”
“Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.”
“Statutes authorizing unreasonable searches were combated through the courts, not by abandoning the right to privacy.”