Sandra Day O’Connor, a groundbreaking justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, died Friday in Phoenix,
Arizona of complications related to advanced dementia, probably Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness, according to an announcement from the court.
President Ronald Reagan nominated O’Connor in 1981, and she was confirmed by the full Senate, 99-0, in September of that year.
O’Connor’s son, Jay, told NPR that news of the proposal was a surprise to his family members, though they had known that his mother had dated Rehnquist.
1. Relevance Amidst Threats: O'Connor's wisdom gains significance amidst current challenges like attacks on voting rights and democracy.
1. Key Voting Role: O'Connor was often the crucial vote on issues like affirmative action, contributing to her lasting impact.
1. Court Dynamics: The article notes the conservative-leaning court's actions, including overturning O'Connor's 1992 abortion decision and targeting affirmative action.
She would instead end up marrying John O’Connor, becoming Sandra Day O’Connor in 1952. While her romance with Rehnquist never flourished
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement that the “nation mourns the passing of a towering figure in the history of American law.”