Sandra Day O'Connor

Essay # 25987

Law > Constitution
Women Studies > Historical Figures

Sandra Day O'Connor

A biography of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

1,022 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a biography of Supreme Court Justice Sandra O'Connor's life before she came to the bench, the politics surrounding her nomination and an analysis of her votes while on the bench so that future votes can be predicted. The paper shows that as the first woman justice, her background and nomination are extremely important. The paper includes a photograph of Sandra Day O'Connor.

From the Paper:

"During his 1980 presidential campaign, President Ronald Reagan promised to appoint the first woman to the Supreme Court (Abraham 1992). Reagan, weary of duplicating a mistake he made while governor of California in appointing a judge that continuously voted liberally once confirmed, did an extensive background search before appointing O'Connor (Abraham 1992). This included extensive interviews with O'Connor as well as those who knew her well personally and professionally (Abraham 1992). Receiving a favorable report, the President flew her to Washington where he would personally, and secretly, interview her (Abraham 1992). Gaining the support of Stanford alumni, Senator Barry Goldwater, and those that had worked with her in the Arizona legislature, the President almost had no choice other than to nominate her (Abraham 1992). Congressman Morris K. Udall, a Democrat from Arizona, commented that she would have Democrats support because "she's about as moderate a Republican you'll ever find being appointed by Reagan" (Abraham 1992). On July 7, 1981, President Reagan made the announcement that he would Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court."