Justice Sandra Day 
, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, holds the historic distinction of being the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her appointment shattered a significant gender barrier in the judiciary, inspiring generations of women in the legal profession. O’Connor served on the Court until her retirement in 2006, leaving a legacy of pragmatic and centrist jurisprudence.
A hallmark of O’Connor’s tenure was her role as the Court’s pivotal swing vote in many critical cases. While generally conservative, she often assessed cases pragmatically, leading to her casting decisive votes that did not always align with a specific ideological bloc. This nuanced approach is most evident in her opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), where she joined Justices Kennedy and Souter in upholding the core holding of Roe v. Wade while allowing certain state-level restrictions on abortion. This compromise preserved a woman’s right to choose while granting states more regulatory latitude, exemplifying her careful balancing of competing interests.
O’Connor was a staunch defender of federalism and the division of powers between states and the federal government. In New York v. United States (1992) and Printz v. United States (1997), she supported limiting federal encroachments on state sovereignty, underscoring her commitment to the principles of limited government.
Her opinions also significantly shaped the legal landscape of affirmative action. In Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), O’Connor authored the majority opinion upholding the use of race as a factor in university admissions, provided it served a compelling interest in achieving diversity and was narrowly tailored. Her decision acknowledged the complexities of equality in modern America, emphasizing both meritocracy and the need to address historical inequities.
Justice O’Connor’s influence extended beyond her written opinions. She championed civics education, recognizing the importance of an informed citizenry for democracy’s health. After retiring to care for her husband, she continued her advocacy for judicial independence and civic engagement, founding iCivics, an educational platform to teach students about government and law.
