Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court (1981-2006), was a moderate conservative and swing vote. Appointed by President Reagan, she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Before her Supreme Court tenure, she served as an Arizona state judge and legislator, notably as the first female majority leader of a state senate. Her career paved the way for women in law and government.
March 26, 1930: Birth of Sandra Day O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor was born on March 26, 1930, in El Paso, Texas.
1946: Graduation from Austin High School
Sandra Day O'Connor graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas, in 1946.
1950: Graduation from Stanford University
Sandra Day O'Connor graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in economics from Stanford University in 1950.
1951: William Rehnquist Proposes Marriage
In 1951, while Sandra Day O'Connor was in her final year at Stanford Law School, future Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, whom she had dated previously, proposed marriage in a letter. O'Connor declined the proposal.
December 20, 1952: Marriage to John Jay O'Connor III
Sandra Day married John Jay O'Connor III on December 20, 1952, at her family's ranch, six months after graduating from law school.
1952: Early Legal Career and Gender Discrimination
After graduating from law school in 1952, Sandra Day O'Connor faced difficulty finding employment as an attorney due to her gender. She eventually accepted a position as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo, California, where she initially worked without pay and an office, highlighting the challenges faced by women in the legal profession at the time.
1952: Graduation from Stanford Law School
Sandra Day O'Connor earned her law degree from Stanford Law School in 1952.
1958: Birth of Scott O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband, John, welcomed their first son, Scott, in 1958.
1960: Birth of Brian O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband, John, welcomed their second son, Brian, in 1960.
1962: Birth of Jay O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband, John, welcomed their third son, Jay, in 1962.
1964: Involvement in Barry Goldwater's Presidential Campaign
Sandra Day O'Connor volunteered on Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign in 1964.
1965: Assistant Attorney General of Arizona
Sandra Day O'Connor served as the Assistant Attorney General of Arizona from 1965 to 1969.
1969: Appointment to the Arizona Senate
In 1969, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Arizona Senate, marking her entry into state-level politics.
1970: Vote on Arizona's Abortion Law
In 1970, while serving in the Arizona State Senate, Sandra Day O'Connor participated in a preliminary vote favoring the repeal of the state's criminal-abortion statute.
1973: First Female Majority Leader of a State Senate
In 1973, Sandra Day O'Connor achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to serve as Arizona's, and any state's, majority leader.
1974: Opposition to Abortion Restriction
In 1974, Sandra Day O'Connor expressed her opposition to a measure aimed at prohibiting abortions in certain Arizona hospitals.
1974: Appointment to the Maricopa County Superior Court
Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1974.
1975: Service on Maricopa County Superior Court
Sandra Day O'Connor served on the Maricopa County Superior Court from 1975 to 1979.
1979: Elevation to the Arizona Court of Appeals
In 1979, Sandra Day O'Connor was elevated to the Arizona Court of Appeals.
1980: Reagan's Campaign Pledge
During his 1980 presidential campaign, Ronald Reagan pledged to appoint the first woman to the Supreme Court.
1980: Reagan Appoints O'Connor to Supreme Court
In 1980, President Reagan appointed Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court, surprising and concerning some conservative groups who doubted her stance on abortion.
July 6, 1981: Nomination to the Supreme Court
On July 6, 1981, President Reagan announced his decision to nominate Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court, sparking controversy due to her stance on abortion.
July 7, 1981: Public Nomination Announcement
On July 7, 1981, President Ronald Reagan publicly announced his nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, fulfilling his campaign promise to appoint the first woman to the highest court.
August 19, 1981: Formal Nomination and Conservative Backlash
On August 19, 1981, Reagan formally nominated O'Connor, facing opposition from conservative groups due to her perceived stance on social issues like abortion and the Equal Rights Amendment.
September 9, 1981: Televised Confirmation Hearing
On September 9, 1981, O'Connor's confirmation hearing, the first to be televised for a Supreme Court Justice, began, focusing heavily on her stance on abortion, which she declined to disclose explicitly.
1981: Nomination to the Supreme Court
In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
1981: Appointment to the Supreme Court
In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, marking a significant milestone as the first woman to serve in this position.
1983: Balancing Privacy and Security in Searches
In 1983, O'Connor demonstrated her commitment to balancing individual privacy with security concerns in cases involving drug-sniffing dogs, advocating for searches that effectively uncovered contraband without unnecessary intrusion.
1983: City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health
In 1983, during the City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health case, O'Connor publicly criticized the "trimester approach" established by Roe v. Wade in her dissent.
1984: Landmark Opinion in Strickland v. Washington
In 1984, Sandra Day O'Connor authored the landmark opinion in Strickland v. Washington.
1986: Thornburgh v. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
O'Connor further expressed her criticism of Roe v. Wade in 1986 during the Thornburgh v. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists case, questioning the Court's authority to override state abortion regulations.
1987: Upholding the Death Penalty in McCleskey v. Kemp
In the controversial 1987 case of McCleskey v. Kemp, O'Connor voted with the majority to uphold the death penalty for an African American man convicted of killing a white officer, despite statistical evidence of racial disparities in sentencing.
1988: Health and Career Changes
In 1988, Sandra Day O'Connor underwent a successful treatment for breast cancer and had her appendix removed. The same year, her husband, John O'Connor, transitioned to a law practice that required him to split his time between Washington, D.C., and Phoenix.
1989: O'Connor's Stance on Roe v. Wade
During deliberations for the Webster case in 1989, O'Connor stated she wouldn't overturn Roe v. Wade, signaling a nuanced approach to abortion rights.
1990: Ann Day Elected to Arizona Legislature
Sandra Day O'Connor's sister, Ann Day, was elected to the Arizona Legislature in 1990, serving until 2000.
1990: Hodgson v. Minnesota
In a notable shift, O'Connor voted to overturn abortion restrictions for the first time in 1990 during the Hodgson v. Minnesota case.
1990: Missouri v. Jenkins Ruling
In 1990, Sandra Day O'Connor sided with the majority in the Missouri v. Jenkins case, determining that federal courts couldn't mandate state funding increases for schools to address racial inequalities.
1991: Freeman v. Pitts Ruling
In 1991, O'Connor joined a concurring opinion in the Freeman v. Pitts case, supporting the release of a school district from judicial oversight for racial segregation, even if all desegregation goals were not fully achieved.
1992: Distancing from Justice Thomas's Views
During the 1992 term, O'Connor distanced herself from Justice Clarence Thomas's views, frequently writing separate opinions and declining to join any of his dissents.
1992: Planned Parenthood v. Casey
During the landmark Planned Parenthood v. Casey case in 1992, O'Connor played a pivotal role. She introduced the "undue burden" standard, which allowed for state-level abortion restrictions as long as they didn't excessively hinder a woman's right to an abortion, marking a significant shift in the legal landscape surrounding abortion.
1992: Planned Parenthood v. Casey Opinion
In 1992, Sandra Day O'Connor was one of three co-authors of the lead opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a significant case that preserved legal access to abortion in the United States.
1993: Second Female Supreme Court Justice
In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined the Supreme Court as the second female justice, providing O'Connor with some relief from the constant media attention.
1993: O'Connor Authors Opinion on Electoral Districting
In 1993, Sandra Day O'Connor authored a significant opinion that established a precedent against racially motivated electoral districting, even if intended to increase minority representation.
1994: Swing Vote and Alignment with Conservatives
From 1994 onwards, O'Connor often served as the swing vote on a more conservative court. Despite this, she often sided with the conservative bloc in contentious decisions.
1995: Missouri v. Jenkins Ruling
In 1995, O'Connor again sided with the majority, reaffirming the Court's stance on the Missouri v. Jenkins case, which limited federal court intervention in state school funding related to racial inequality.
1995: Support for Religious Institutions
O'Connor consistently voted in favor of religious institutions' rights, as seen in cases like Rosenberger v. University of Virginia (1995), reflecting her nuanced stance on the separation of church and state.
1996: Shaw v. Hunt and Shaw v. Reno
In 1996, in the Shaw v. Hunt and Shaw v. Reno cases, O'Connor joined a Rehnquist opinion that invalidated an electoral districting plan in North Carolina. The Court found the plan, designed to bolster the election of Black representatives, unacceptably gerrymandered.
1996: Protecting Free Speech Rights of Contractors
In Board of County Commissioners, Wabaunsee County, Kansas v Umbehr (1996), O'Connor upheld the First Amendment's protection of free speech rights for independent contractors working with public entities.
1998: Shift in Voting Alignment
Until 1998, O'Connor's voting record frequently aligned with conservative Justice William Rehnquist. However, as the Court's composition shifted, she became a crucial swing vote.
December 12, 2000: Wall Street Journal Reports O'Connor's Retirement Considerations
On December 12, 2000, The Wall Street Journal published a report highlighting O'Connor's hesitation to retire while a Democrat held the presidency. The report suggested she preferred her replacement to be chosen by a president aligned with her political views, sparking discussions about political considerations in judicial appointments.
2000: Continued Support for Religious Freedom
In 2000, O'Connor further demonstrated her support for religious freedom by siding with religious institutions in cases like Mitchell v. Helms.
2000: O'Connor Expresses Regret over Bush v. Gore Case
Reflecting on her time on the Supreme Court, O'Connor expressed regret over the Court's decision to hear the Bush v. Gore case in 2000. She believed the case negatively impacted public perception of the Court and that the Court should not have heard the case.
2000: Ann Day Leaves Arizona Legislature
Sandra Day O'Connor's sister, Ann Day, concluded her service in the Arizona Legislature in 2000 after serving for a decade.
2000: Bush v. Gore
Following the 2000 Bush v. Gore case, speculation arose from O'Connor's law clerks suggesting her decision-making was driven by a desire for perceived fairness, rather than strict legal interpretation, drawing attention to her pragmatic approach to complex legal matters.
2000: Bush v. Gore Opinion
In 2000, Sandra Day O'Connor co-authored the per curiam majority opinion in the landmark case of Bush v. Gore, which had significant implications for the outcome of the presidential election.
2001: Recognizing Humiliation as a Factor in Searches
O'Connor recognized the significance of avoiding unnecessary humiliation during searches, a stance highlighted in her dissent in a 2001 case, reflecting her nuanced understanding of Fourth Amendment rights.
2002: Publication of "Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest"
In 2002, Sandra Day O'Connor co-authored the book "Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest" with her brother, H. Alan Day, sharing their childhood experiences on their family ranch.
2002: Support for School Voucher Programs
O'Connor's support for religious freedom extended to school voucher programs, as evidenced by her vote in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002).
2003: Grutter v. Bollinger
In 2003, O'Connor authored the majority opinion for Grutter v. Bollinger, arguing that racial affirmative action, while not constitutional indefinitely, could be applied temporarily (around 25 years) as a corrective measure for historical discrimination.
2003: The Majesty of the Law: Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice
In 2003, O'Connor published "The Majesty of the Law: Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice," offering insights into her judicial philosophy and experiences on the highest court.
2004: Voting Patterns with Conservative and Liberal Blocs
Between 1994 and 2004, O'Connor frequently sided with the conservative bloc, led by Justices Rehnquist, Scalia, Kennedy, and Thomas, rather than the liberal bloc.
February 22, 2005: First Woman to Preside over Oral Arguments
On February 22, 2005, O'Connor made history as the first woman to preside over oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the case of Kelo v. City of New London.
July 1, 2005: Announcement of Retirement
On July 1, 2005, Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from the Supreme Court, effective upon the confirmation of her successor.
October 3, 2005: Rehnquist's Death, Roberts' Nomination, and O'Connor's Continued Service
O'Connor had planned to retire from the Supreme Court, but Rehnquist's death on September 3, 2005, changed the course of events. President Bush, who had initially nominated John Roberts for O'Connor's position, instead nominated Roberts for the Chief Justice position. O'Connor agreed to remain on the Court until her replacement was confirmed. On October 3, 2005, Bush nominated Harriet Miers as O'Connor's replacement, but the nomination faced criticism and controversy, leading to Miers' withdrawal on October 27, 2005.
October 2005: Nomination of Samuel Alito
Following Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement announcement, Samuel Alito was nominated to succeed her on the Supreme Court in October 2005.
2005: Chico: A True Story from the Childhood of the First Woman Supreme Court Justice
O'Connor connected with younger audiences in 2005 by publishing a children's book, "Chico: A True Story from the Childhood of the First Woman Supreme Court Justice." The book, named after her beloved horse, provided an autobiographical glimpse into her formative years.
2005: Unpredictable Stance on First Amendment Issues
O'Connor's decisions regarding First Amendment cases, especially those concerning the Establishment Clause, were often difficult to predict, as she tried to balance conservative values with respect for religious diversity.
2005: Anticipation of Retirement and Court Vacancy
In 2005, there were expectations that either Rehnquist or O'Connor might retire from the Supreme Court. Rehnquist's age and battle with cancer made him a likely candidate, while rumors also circulated about O'Connor's possible retirement.
2005: O'Connor Elected as Honorary Fellow and Chancellor of William & Mary
In 2005, O'Connor received recognition for her contributions. She was elected as an honorary fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and accepted the ceremonial position of Chancellor of the College of William & Mary, a role she held until 2012.
January 31, 2006: Samuel Alito Joins the Supreme Court
Following Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement, Samuel Alito was nominated to take her seat in October 2005 and officially joined the Supreme Court on January 31, 2006.
March 2006: O'Connor Speaks Out on Judicial Independence
In March 2006, during a speech at Georgetown University, O'Connor expressed concerns about political attacks on judicial independence, arguing that they threaten Americans' constitutional freedoms. She cautioned against reforming the judicial system based on retaliation for decisions that political leaders disagree with.
April 5, 2006: Arizona State University Law School Named in O'Connor's Honor
On April 5, 2006, Arizona State University paid tribute to O'Connor's legacy by renaming its law school the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.
May 15, 2006: O'Connor Addresses William & Mary Law Graduates
During her commencement address at the William & Mary School of Law on May 15, 2006, O'Connor reiterated her concern that judicial independence was facing significant threats at both the state and national levels.
2006: O'Connor Joins Iraq Study Group and Rockefeller Foundation Board
In 2006, O'Connor became a member of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan group tasked with assessing the situation in Iraq and providing recommendations to the U.S. government. That same year, she also joined the board of trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation.
2006: Retirement from the Supreme Court
In 2006, Sandra Day O'Connor retired from her position as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court after serving for 25 years.
November 7, 2007: O'Connor Highlights Lack of Legal Representation for the Poor
On November 7, 2007, at a conference discussing her landmark opinion in Strickland v. Washington (1984), O'Connor brought attention to the inadequate legal representation available to many impoverished defendants.
2007: O'Connor Chairs Jamestown 2007 Celebration
O'Connor presided over the Jamestown 2007 celebration, which commemorated the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.
April 22, 2008: O'Connor Delivers "Harry's Last Lecture on a Meaningful Life"
As an inaugural Harry Rathbun Visiting Fellow at Stanford University, O'Connor delivered a lecture titled "Harry's Last Lecture on a Meaningful Life" on April 22, 2008, honoring the influence of Professor Harry Rathbun on her career.
August 7, 2008: O'Connor and Wahid Express Concerns over Anwar Ibrahim's Imprisonment
On August 7, 2008, O'Connor and former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid co-authored an editorial in the Financial Times, expressing their concerns about the potential imprisonment of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
November 19, 2008: O'Connor Advocates for Judicial Accountability and Merit-Based Selection
In November 2008, O'Connor published an essay emphasizing the importance of public understanding regarding judicial accountability. She also called for a merit-based system for selecting judges.
2008: Sandra Day O'Connor Project on the State of the Judiciary Concludes
The Sandra Day O'Connor Project on the State of the Judiciary, named in her honor, held its final annual conference on the independence of the judiciary in 2008.
2008: O'Connor Continues Judicial Work After Retirement
Despite retiring from the Supreme Court, O'Connor remained active in the judicial system. She continued to receive a full salary, had a staffed office, and served as a visiting judge in federal courts. By 2008, she had participated in cases within the 2nd, 8th, and 9th Circuits.
February 2009: Launch of Our Courts Website
In February 2009, driven by her concern for the lack of civic knowledge among young Americans, Sandra Day O'Connor launched Our Courts, a website designed to provide interactive civics lessons for students and teachers.
March 3, 2009: Appearance on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
On March 3, 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor appeared on the satirical television program "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" to promote her website, Our Courts, an initiative aimed at educating young Americans about civics.
August 2009: Expansion of Our Courts Website
In August 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor's website, Our Courts, expanded its offerings by adding two online interactive games to further engage students in learning about civics.
2009: Establishment of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute
In 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor established a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, now recognized as the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute, to promote civil discourse, civic engagement, and civics education, reflecting her enduring commitment to these values.
2009: Husband's Death and Relocation to Phoenix
In 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor's husband, John O'Connor, passed away after battling Alzheimer's disease for nearly two decades. Following her retirement from the Supreme Court, O'Connor relocated back to Phoenix, Arizona.
2009: Presidential Medal of Freedom Awarded
In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Sandra Day O'Connor was honored with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009.
May 2010: Transformation of Our Courts into iCivics
By May 2010, Sandra Day O'Connor's Our Courts initiative expanded and transformed into iCivics, offering a wider range of free resources, including lesson plans, games, and interactive videogames for middle and high school educators.
May 2010: Advice to Elena Kagan
In May 2010, O'Connor offered advice to then-Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, cautioning her about the demanding confirmation process.
2011: Co-founding of the National Institute for Civil Discourse
In the aftermath of the 2011 shooting of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Sandra Day O'Connor co-founded the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD) at the University of Arizona, demonstrating her commitment to fostering civil dialogue and addressing political polarization.
2012: O'Connor Concludes Role as Chancellor of William & Mary
O'Connor's tenure as Chancellor of the College of William & Mary concluded in 2012.
April 2013: Appointment as Honorary Chair of Justice at Stake
In April 2013, Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed as the honorary chair of Justice at Stake, a national judicial reform advocacy organization, further solidifying her commitment to justice and judicial reform.
2013: Early Signs of Cognitive Decline
Around 2013, friends and colleagues of Sandra Day O'Connor began observing signs of her increasing forgetfulness and decreased communication, hinting at the early stages of her cognitive decline.
2013: O'Connor Publishes "Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court"
In 2013, O'Connor authored and published a book titled "Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court."
September 17, 2014: O'Connor Appears on "Jeopardy!" and Advocates for Civics Education
On September 17, 2014, O'Connor made a special appearance on the television game show "Jeopardy!", providing video answers for the category "Supreme Court." On the same day, she joined her former colleague, Justice David Souter, for a talk in Concord, New Hampshire, where they emphasized the significance of comprehensive civics education in the United States.
October 2015: O'Connor Hires Final Law Clerk
While O'Connor continued to serve as a visiting judge after retiring from the Supreme Court, she hired her last law clerk for the October 2015 term and did not hire one for the subsequent term.
November 2015: Transition to Trustee Emeritus at National Constitution Center
By November 2015, Sandra Day O'Connor transitioned from her role as a board member to a trustee emeritus at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, marking her continued involvement with the institution in a different capacity.
2015: iCivics Reaches Milestone
By 2015, iCivics, the civics education platform founded by Sandra Day O'Connor, achieved significant reach with 72,000 registered teachers and 30 million gameplays, highlighting its impact on civics education.
February 2016: O'Connor Supports Immediate Replacement for Scalia on Supreme Court
Following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016, O'Connor disagreed with Republican calls to delay the appointment of a replacement. She believed that the vacancy should be filled promptly by President Barack Obama, emphasizing the importance of the position.
May 7, 2016: Death of Sister, Ann Day
On May 7, 2016, Sandra Day O'Connor's younger sister, Ann Day, tragically lost her life in a car accident in Tucson, Arizona, caused by a drunk driver.
2017: Mobility Issues and Move to Assisted Living
By 2017, Sandra Day O'Connor's back problems necessitated the use of a wheelchair and led to her moving to an assisted living facility, reflecting the growing impact of her health challenges on her daily life.
October 2018: Retirement from Public Life and Alzheimer's Diagnosis
In October 2018, Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from public life after disclosing her diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's-like dementia, marking a significant turning point in her life.
2019: Listing of O'Connor's Residence on National Register of Historic Places
In 2019, Sandra Day O'Connor's former adobe residence in Arizona, curated by the O'Connor Institute, was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, acknowledging its historical significance and connection to her legacy.
2022: Launch of Civics for Life Digital Platform
In 2022, the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute launched "Civics for Life," a multigenerational digital platform aimed at promoting civic engagement and education across age groups, further extending O'Connor's vision for a civically engaged society.
December 1, 2023: Death of Sandra Day O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor passed away on December 1, 2023.
December 18, 2023: Lying in Repose and Memorial Service
Sandra Day O'Connor lay in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court on December 18, 2023, followed by a memorial service at the Washington National Cathedral the next day, honoring her life and legacy.