How Sandra Day O'Connor Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Sandra Day O'Connor—a timeline of influence.

Sandra Day O'Connor was a pioneering American jurist who served as the first female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1981 to 2006. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Prior to her Supreme Court tenure, O'Connor served as an Arizona state judge and legislator, becoming the first female majority leader of a state senate. Often described as a moderate conservative, she frequently acted as a swing vote on the Court, playing a crucial role in many landmark decisions.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2003: The Majesty of the Law Published

In 2003, O'Connor wrote a book titled The Majesty of the Law: Reflections of a Supreme Court Justice.

2005: Views on Church and State

In 2005, Barry Lynn commented on O'Connor's approach to church-state issues, noting her conservative stance but also her respect for the country's religious diversity. Lynn stated O'Connor "saw the complexity of church-state issues and tried to choose a course that respected the country's religious diversity".

2005: Chico: A True Story Published

In 2005, O'Connor wrote a children's book, Chico: A True Story from the Childhood of the First Woman Supreme Court Justice, about her childhood.

March 2006: Speech on Judicial Independence

During a speech at Georgetown University in March 2006, O'Connor spoke on the issue of judicial independence, warning against political attacks on the courts.

April 5, 2006: Arizona State University named its law school the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

On April 5, 2006, Arizona State University named its law school the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law in her honor.

November 7, 2007: Conference on Strickland v. Washington

On November 7, 2007, at a conference on her landmark opinion in Strickland v. Washington, O'Connor highlighted the lack of proper legal representation for poor defendants and urged merit selection for judges.

August 7, 2008: Editorial on Anwar Ibrahim

On August 7, 2008, O'Connor and Abdurrahman Wahid co-authored an editorial in the Financial Times expressing concerns about the threatened imprisonment of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

November 19, 2008: Essay on Judicial Accountability

On November 19, 2008, O'Connor published an introductory essay on judicial accountability in the Denver University Law Review, calling for better public understanding.

February 2009: Launched "Our Courts" website

In February 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor launched "Our Courts", a website to offer interactive civics lessons to students and teachers.

August 2009: Added online interactive games to "Our Courts" website

In August 2009, the "Our Courts" website added two online interactive games.

2009: Founded the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute

In 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor founded the non-profit organization now known as the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute.

2009: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2009, Sandra Day O'Connor was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

May 2010: "Our Courts" initiative expanded, becoming iCivics

In May 2010, the "Our Courts" initiative expanded, becoming iCivics offering free lesson plans, games, and interactive videogames for middle and high school educators.

2013: Authored "Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court"

In 2013, Sandra Day O'Connor wrote the book "Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court."

2015: iCivics games reached 72,000 registered teachers and 30 million plays

By 2015, the iCivics games had 72,000 teachers as registered users and its games had been played 30 million times.

2019: Former adobe residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places

In 2019, Sandra Day O'Connor's former adobe residence in Arizona, curated by the O'Connor Institute, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.