Current Status
Sandra Day O'Connor is deceased. She passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 93. O'Connor was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and retiring in 2006.
Supreme Court Tenure
Appointment and confirmation
Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 7, 1981, and confirmed by the Senate on September 21, 1981. Her appointment broke a gender barrier on the Court and reflected bipartisan support at the time of confirmation.
Notable jurisprudence
O'Connor often served as a swing vote in closely divided cases. She wrote notable opinions in areas including affirmative action, abortion rights, religious accommodation, and federalism. Key decisions include Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), and Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006).
Retirement and Later Years
Retirement from the Court
O'Connor announced her retirement on July 1, 2005, effective January 31, 2006, to care for her ailing husband. She was succeeded by Samuel Alito. In retirement, she remained active in public service and advocacy.
Post-retirement activities and honors
After retiring, O'Connor founded iCivics to promote civic education, served as chancellor of the College of William & Mary, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. She continued to speak and write on judicial independence and civic engagement.
Personal Background
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sandra Day O'Connor | Biographical records |
| Date of birth | March 26, 1930 | Biographical records |
| Place of birth | El Paso, Texas, U.S. | Biographical records |
| Date of death | December 1, 2023 | Official announcements |
| Age at death | 93 | Official announcements |
| Spouse | John Jay O'Connor (m. 1952; died 2009) | Biographical records |
| Nominated by | Ronald Reagan | Presidential records |
| Confirmation date | September 21, 1981 | Senate records |
| Retired | January 31, 2006 | Court records |
Key Takeaways
- O'Connor was the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
- She served from 1981 to 2006, often as a pivotal swing vote.
- She died on December 1, 2023, at age 93.
- Her post-retirement work emphasized civics education and judicial independence.
Legacy and Impact
O'Connor is remembered for building consensus on a polarized Court and for her pragmatic, moderate approach to constitutional interpretation. Her opinions on federalism and state sovereignty influenced generations of jurisprudence. Through iCivics and public lectures, she encouraged active citizen participation long after leaving the bench.