Reaction to the death of former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day
O'Connor
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[December 02, 2023]
(Reuters) -Here are reactions to the death of retired
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court,
whose centrist views and shrewd negotiating skills allowed her to steer
the nation's law for much of her quarter-century tenure:
FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
"When a young Sandra Day graduated from Stanford Law School near the top
of her class – in two years instead of the usual three – she was offered
just one job in the private sector. Her prospective employer asked her
how well she typed and told her there might be work for her as a legal
secretary.
"Fortunately for us, she set her sights a little higher – becoming the
first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. As a judge and
Arizona legislator, a cancer survivor and child of the Texas plains,
Sandra Day O'Connor was like the pilgrim in the poem she sometimes
quoted – forging a new path and building a bridge behind her for all
young women to follow. Michelle and I send our thoughts to Sandra’s
family and everyone who learned from and admired her."
U.S. SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS
"A daughter of the American Southwest, Sandra Day O'Connor blazed an
historic trail as our Nation's first female Justice. She met that
challenge with undaunted determination, indisputable ability, and
engaging candor.
"We at the Supreme Court mourn the loss of a beloved colleague, a
fiercely independent defender of the rule of law, and an eloquent
advocate for civics education. And we celebrate her enduring legacy as a
true public servant and patriot."
U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ELENA KAGAN
"I remember the day Justice O’Connor was nominated to the court as
though it just happened. As a young woman looking forward to law school,
I thought the event momentous and inspirational. But I couldn’t have
known then how momentous and inspirational that new nominee’s tenure on
the court would turn out to be."
U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON
"I had the honor of observing Justice O’Connor at work during my service
as a law clerk for Justice Breyer. Full of grace and grit, she was a
marvel to watch and learn from during oral argument. In addition, as the
first female Justice, Justice O’Connor helped pave the road on which
other jurists, including me, now walk. Her story has inspired
generations of lawyers and generations of Americans, and her commitment
to justice and to the rule of law continues to serve as a model to us
all."
REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS
“The passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor reminds all of us of what an
extraordinary woman and justice she was. As the first woman to serve on
the Supreme Court, she was a trailblazer and a role model for girls and
women... She exemplified excellence in public service.”
CRISTINA RODRIGUEZ, PROFESSOR AT YALE LAW SCHOOL AND FORMER LAW CLERK TO
O'CONNOR
"She was a remarkable human being who brought indispensable practical
wisdom to her work on the court. I hope her era will be remembered and
learned from."
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Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks during the
lunch session of The Women's Conference in Long Beach, California
October 26, 2010. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI, FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER:
"Justice O’Connor earned her place in history as the first woman
ever to sit on the Supreme Court, where she was always an
independent and influential voice. Beyond shattering a glass
ceiling, her service on the bench reflected our nation’s highest
ideals: courage, integrity, patriotism and justice. "
EUGENE VOLOKH, PROFESSOR AT UCLA LAW SCHOOL AND FORMER LAW CLERK TO
O'CONNOR
"She had one of the great careers in American law: Not only as the
first woman Supreme Court justice, but also as a successful
political leader with the ability to bring people together. Through
it all, she always acted not just with resolve and honor, but with
grace and kindness. She was a great judge, and a great American."
JUSTIN DRIVER, PROFESSOR AT YALE LAW SCHOOL AND FORMER LAW CLERK TO
O'CONNOR
"Today, we lost a towering, trailblazing jurist who dramatically
improved our nation. Justice O’Connor viewed constitutional law as
an incremental, stabilizing force in American society, and she was
therefore extremely hesitant about overturning precedents because
such decisions jolted the legal system. While she will justifiably
be remembered as the most powerful woman of her era, she
consistently comported herself with great judicial modesty. She was
quite simply a national treasure."
REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CURRENT
MEMBER OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
“Justice O’Connor was the first Supreme Court nominee I had the
honor of voting for as a senator. She was a trailblazer for the high
court, and actively worked to drive consensus. Her contributions to
the court will endure, and she will be missed."
LARRY KRAMER, BOARD CHAIR OF O’CONNOR-FOUNDED NONPROFIT GROUP
ICIVICS THAT PROVIDES FREE CIVICS EDUCATION RESOURCES TO STUDENTS
"iCivics was her brainchild. She spotted the need and importance of
reinvigorating civic education before others, and she led the
creation of an innovative leader in the field. As important, she was
kind and generous, a friend and mentor to countless young people."
(Reporting by John Kruzel; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung in
New York; Editing by Scott Malone, Alistaiir Bell, Richard Chang and
Daniel Wallis)
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