Former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’ConnorHe died this Friday at the age of 93. O’Connor was the first woman hold the position of Supreme Court Justice.
O’Connor died Friday in Phoenix, Arizona “due to complications related to advanced dementia, probably Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory disease”the U.S. Supreme Court noted in a statement.
The judge was appointed to the court by the Republican president Ronald Reagan and served from 1981 to 2006, when she retired to care for her husband, who had Alzheimer’s disease. The then President, George W. Bush, nominated Justice Samuel Alito – who remains in office – to his seat.
In an ideologically divided court, her independence (albeit from a moderate conservative stance) meant that her voice in important legal disputes was vital and that she was seen as one one of the most powerful women of her time.
He was an icon in the conquest of the Women’s rights and a pioneer in a Supreme Court consisting of nine justices who have only seen a total of six women in the entire history of the United States.
After leaving the Supreme Court January 31, 2006Judge O’Connor remained active as Defender of the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law around the world.
During these years she focused her work on the organization she founded, iCivics, to promote civic knowledge and engagement, especially for all American citizens understand the Constitution.
All this until October 2018, when he announced that he was suffering from dementia and made up his mind give up public life.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
In recognition of his life’s achievements President Barack Obama granted To award Judge O’Connor the country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedomon August 12, 2009.
A law graduate from Stanford University, one of her most notable decisions was her vote in the case.Planned Parenthood v. Casey’a 1992 statement that affirmed a woman’s right to an abortion.
Or a 2004 court ruling against the government’s detention policy George W. Bush after 9/11in which he expressed this “A state of war is not a blank check.”