O'Connor, Sandra Day

Born March 26, 1930, in El Paso, TX
Died December 1, 2023, in Phoenix, AZ

Federal Judicial Service:
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on August 19, 1981, to a seat vacated by Potter Stewart. Confirmed by the Senate on September 21, 1981, and received commission on September 22, 1981. Assumed senior status on January 31, 2006. Service terminated on December 1, 2023, due to death.

Supreme Court Oath:
September 25, 1981

Allotment as Circuit Justice:

Sixth Circuit, October 1, 1981-September 25, 1986
Ninth Circuit, September 26, 1986-January 31, 2006
Eleventh Circuit, September 10, 1987-December 1, 1987

Education:
Stanford University, A.B., 1950
Stanford Law School, LL.B., 1952

Professional Career:

Deputy county attorney, San Mateo County, California, 1952-1953
Civil attorney, Quartermaster Market Center, Frankfurt, Germany, 1954-1957
Private practice, Phoenix, Arizona, 1957-1965
Assistant attorney general, State of Arizona, 1965-1969
State senator, Arizona, 1969-1975; majority leader, 1973-1974
Judge, Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, 1975-1979
Judge, Arizona Court of Appeals, 1979-1981

Manuscript Collections

Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Sandra Day O'Connor papers, 1963-1988.
122.4 linear ft.; finding aid; restricted; collection contains correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings, and photographs documenting O'Connor's career as Arizona state senator and judge, and her service on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Oral History

O'Connor, Sandra Day. "In Search of the Constitution: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor." Interview conducted on May 28, 1987, by Bill Moyers. Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanitites and Sciences, 1987. Videotape, 57 minutes.

O'Connor, Sandra Day. Oral history interview conducted by Marci A. Hamilton and Barbara Woodhouse on January 30, 2015. Oral History of Distinguished American Judges, Institute of Judicial Administration, New York University School of Law, 2020. Video, 48 minutes, and transcript; available online.

O'Connor, Sandra Day. "The Workings of the U.S. Supreme Court: An Interview with Sandra Day O'Connor." Cleveland, Ohio: WCLV Radio, 1987. Audiotape, 50 minutes.

Federal Judicial Center

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O'Connor, Sandra Day