Gov. Ducey proclaims day honoring Sandra Day O’Connor
Sep 25, 2019, 10:05 AM
American lawyer Sandra Day O'Connor testifying at a judicial hearing, September 1981. O'Connor was appointed Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court the previous July and was the first woman to hold the position. (Getty Images Photo/Keystone for Hulton Archive)
(Getty Images Photo/Keystone for Hulton Archive)
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey proclaimed Wednesday as Sandra Day O’Connor Day, in honor of the 38th anniversary since she was sworn in as the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Former President Ronald Reagan appointed O’Connor, who grew up on the Lazy B Ranch in southeastern Arizona, in 1981.
She received unanimous Senate approval and retired in 2006 after serving for 25 years. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2018.
Before her stint with the country’s highest court, she became the nation’s first woman to serve as Majority Leader in a state senate.
She also served on the Arizona Court of Appeals and as the state’s assistant attorney general.
Gov. Ducey said in a press release that O’Connor “has given us the example for how to serve with civility, character and compassion.
“A role model, trailblazer and Arizonan through and through, she has been a tireless advocate for justice, while inspiring countless generations around the world,” he said.
38 years ago today, Sandra Day O’Connor made history when she was sworn in as the first woman U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Arizona is proud to recognize today as #SandraDayOConnorDay in recognition of her many and historic contributions to our state and country. pic.twitter.com/bMD9IvSsY6
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) September 25, 2019
O’Connor’s historic home in metro Phoenix was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July.
She and her husband, John O’Connor, helped place the adobe bricks for the home when it was being built in 1957.
