Trailblazing Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Dies at 93

Legacy of First Female Supreme Court Justice Reassessed Amid Shifts in U.S. Judiciary

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away at the age of 93 due to complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness.
O'Connor's legacy as a pragmatic and influential justice is being reassessed as the Supreme Court has become more conservative, overturning many of her key rulings on issues such as abortion rights, school desegregation, and affirmative action.
Despite the dismantling of her judicial legacy, O'Connor's impact as a trailblazer for women in the legal profession remains significant. She inspired a generation of women to pursue careers in law and politics.
O'Connor was known for her commitment to civics education, Alzheimer's research, and judicial independence after her retirement from the Supreme Court.
O'Connor's personal journey, from struggling to find a legal job after graduating from law school in the 1950s to ending more than 190 years of male exclusivity on the Supreme Court, has been highlighted as a testament to her tenacity and pioneering spirit.