Sandra Day O'Connor

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses that, as the first woman named Justice to the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor made history because she broke the "glass ceiling"; the bench of the Supreme Court was formally reserved exclusively for men. The author points out that, as a pragmatist, O'Connor normally begins reviewing a case by first inductively discovering the decisional principles by reading selected opinions and internal memos covering a full range of issues. This paper concludes that, although not everyone always agrees with her opinions, assessments, and style, no one questions her diligence and integrity; Sandra Day O'Connor is considered to be the most influential woman in America.

From the Paper:

"She later took up a course with a major on economics at Stanford University with the intention of using that knowledge in operating a ranch of her own or the Lazy-B ranch itself. When her family encountered a dispute over the ranch, she began to have an interest in law and enrolled at the Stanford Law School after finishing baccalaureate degree in economics, magna cum laude, in 1950. Instead of the traditional three years, she took only two to finish law and then served as editor of the Stanford Law Review until she became a member of the Order of the Coif, a legal honor society (US Supreme Court). She met John O'Connor at this time, who was then also attending law school. Sandra graduated from law school in 1952, again with honors as third in a class of 102. The first placer was William H. Rehnquist, who was to be the Chief Justice. Then she and John were married."

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