WOMEN IN HISTORY - SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR

The first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court

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DATE OF BIRTH

March 26, 1930 

PLACE OF BIRTH

El Paso, Texas

DATE OF DEATH

December 1, 2023

PLACE OF DEATH

Phoenix, Arizona

FAMILY BACKGROUND

She grew up on the Lazy B Ranch in Arizona, and went on to a career as an attorney and as a member of the Arizona State Senate before being appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court and the Arizona Court of Appeals.  In 1981 President Ronald Reagan nominated her to become the first woman on the United States Supreme Court.  She was unanimously confirmed by the Senate and served on the Court until her retirement in 2006.  In 2009 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.