Sandra Day O’Connor

WASHINGTON — The League of Women Voters of the United States issued the following statement on the passing of first female US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor:

“Sandra Day O’Connor was an exceptional leader and trailblazer who inspired many generations of female lawyers as the inaugural female voice to sit on the Supreme Court.

“A powerful role model to many, Sandra Day O’Connor broke the legal profession’s male-dominated glass ceiling as a key figure in many of the nation’s most historic Supreme Court cases.

“A defender of women’s rights, Sandra Day O’Connor served as the first female majority leader in the Arizona state Senate, where she advocated for changing various state laws that discriminated against women.  As a strong supporter of civics education, Justice O’Connor famously said, ‘The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned anew by each generation of citizens.’ When she retired, Justice O’Connor engaged with the League of Women Voters on civic education programs and spoke at the League of Women Voters National Leaders Council in 2003.

“Justice O’Connor’s strength, boldness, and dedication to women’s rights is a shining example of the League’s belief in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. The League of Women Voters is forever grateful for Justice O’Connor’s leadership as we commemorate her lasting legacy beyond today.”