Sandra Day O’Connor was a trailblazing figure in American history as the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. During her tenure on the bench, she made a significant impact on American law and became known as a powerful, pragmatic figure. However, beyond her professional accomplishments, O’Connor was also a devoted wife and mother to three sons.
Sandra Day O’Connor’s children were an important part of her life. She and her husband, John Jay O’Connor, raised three boys together while balancing their busy legal careers. The O’Connor family was known for their close-knit bond, and Sandra was a hands-on mother who was deeply involved in her children’s lives. Despite the demands of her work on the Supreme Court, she always made time for her family and was a loving and supportive parent.
Key Takeaways
- Sandra Day O’Connor was not only a successful Supreme Court Justice but also a devoted mother of three sons.
- The O’Connor family was known for their close-knit bond, and Sandra was a hands-on mother who was deeply involved in her children’s lives.
- Despite the demands of her work on the Supreme Court, she always made time for her family and was a loving and supportive parent.
Early Life of Sandra Day O’Connor
Family Background
Sandra Day O’Connor was born on March 26, 1930, in El Paso, Texas. Her family had a strong tradition of public service. Her grandfather, Henry Clay Day, served in the Arizona Territorial Legislature, and her father, Harry A. Day, served as a member of the Arizona State Legislature and as the Attorney General of Arizona. Her mother, Ada Mae Wilkey Day, was a homemaker.
Childhood and Education
O’Connor grew up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Arizona called the “Lazy B,” which was owned by her parents. She learned to ride horses and work on the ranch from an early age. Despite the remote location of the ranch, her parents placed a strong emphasis on education. O’Connor and her siblings were homeschooled by their mother until the age of eight, after which they attended a one-room schoolhouse in the nearby town of Duncan.
After graduating from high school, O’Connor attended Stanford University, where she earned a degree in economics. She then went on to study law at Stanford Law School, where she was one of only five women in her class. O’Connor graduated from law school in 1952 and went on to work as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo, California.
Sandra Day O’Connor’s Career
Legal Career Before the Supreme Court
Sandra Day O’Connor started her legal career as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo, California. She then worked as a civilian lawyer for the Quartermaster Market Center in Frankfurt, Germany, before returning to the United States to practice law in Arizona.
In Arizona, O’Connor served as assistant attorney general, where she worked on cases involving consumer protection and civil rights. She also served as a state senator before being appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals in 1979.
Appointment and Tenure at the Supreme Court
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’Connor to the Supreme Court, making her the first woman to serve on the highest court in the land. During her tenure, O’Connor was known for being a moderate conservative, often casting the deciding vote in cases that were closely contested.
O’Connor’s landmark decisions include upholding affirmative action in higher education in the case of Grutter v. Bollinger, and striking down a Texas law that criminalized same-sex sexual activity in Lawrence v. Texas. In 2006, O’Connor retired from the Supreme Court and was succeeded by Justice Samuel Alito.
Throughout her career, O’Connor was a role model for women in the legal profession, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female lawyers and judges.
Personal Life and Marriage
Marriage to John Jay O’Connor
Sandra Day O’Connor married John Jay O’Connor III in 1952, and they remained married until his death in 2009. John was a lawyer and later a partner at a Phoenix law firm. The couple had three sons: Scott, Brian, and Jay.
Balancing Career and Family
Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. She was known for her dedication to the law and her commitment to public service. However, she also managed to balance her career with her family life.
O’Connor was a devoted mother to her three sons, and she often spoke about the importance of balancing career and family. She once said, “I always knew I wanted children, and I always knew I wanted a career. I just didn’t know how I was going to do both.”
O’Connor’s husband, John, was also supportive of her career. He once said, “Sandra’s career was very important to her, and I always tried to be supportive of that. We worked together to make sure our family was taken care of, and we were able to balance our careers and our family life.”
Overall, Sandra Day O’Connor was a trailblazer who paved the way for women in the legal profession. She was also a devoted wife and mother who managed to balance her career and her family life.
Children of Sandra Day O’Connor
Names and Birthdates
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, had three sons with her husband, John J. O’Connor III. Their first son, Scott, was born on October 26, 1957. Jay, their second son, was born on September 27, 1959. Their youngest son, Brian, was born on May 8, 1962.
Private Lives and Careers
Scott O’Connor is a writer and author of several books, including “Untouchable,” “A Perfect Universe,” and “Half World.” Jay O’Connor is a lawyer and partner at the law firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, where he specializes in antitrust and competition law. Brian O’Connor is a physician and medical director at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Despite their mother’s high-profile career, Sandra Day O’Connor’s children have largely stayed out of the public eye. In a 2018 interview with CBS News, Sandra Day O’Connor said that her sons “have their own lives and their own careers, and they don’t want to be known as the sons of a Supreme Court justice.”
Overall, Sandra Day O’Connor’s children have led successful and fulfilling lives in their respective fields, and have largely kept their private lives out of the public eye.
Post-Retirement Activities
Public Service
After retiring from the Supreme Court in 2006, Sandra Day O’Connor continued her public service through various means. She served as the Chancellor of the College of William & Mary from 2005 to 2012, where she helped promote civic education and engagement. She also co-founded iCivics, a non-profit organization that provides free online educational resources for teaching civics to students in grades K-12. Through iCivics, O’Connor aimed to improve the quality of civic education and increase youth engagement in democracy.
Advocacy and Legacy
In addition to her work with iCivics, O’Connor remained active in advocating for various causes. She was a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s disease research and awareness, as her husband was diagnosed with the disease in 1998. She also supported efforts to improve the quality of education in the United States, particularly in the areas of civics and history education.
O’Connor’s legacy as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and her impact on the legal profession and American society at large continued to be recognized after her retirement. In 2009, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. She also received numerous honorary degrees and awards from universities and legal organizations. O’Connor’s life and career were the subject of several biographies and documentaries, including the 2018 film “RBG,” which chronicled her friendship with fellow Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children did Sandra Day O’Connor have?
Sandra Day O’Connor had three sons: Scott, Brian, and Jay. She raised them with her husband John O’Connor, whom she met while attending Stanford Law School.
What are some notable accomplishments of Sandra Day O’Connor?
Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served until 2006. O’Connor was also the first female Majority Leader of any state senate in the U.S. when she served in the Arizona State Senate. She was also the first woman to serve as an Arizona State Attorney General.
What can you tell me about Sandra Day O’Connor’s early life and childhood?
Sandra Day O’Connor was born in El Paso, Texas in 1930 and grew up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Arizona. She attended Stanford University, where she studied economics and political science. O’Connor graduated with a degree in economics in 1950 and went on to attend Stanford Law School, where she graduated third in her class in 1952.
Who succeeded Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court?
Sandra Day O’Connor was succeeded by Justice Samuel Alito, who was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 2006.
At what age did Sandra Day O’Connor attend college?
Sandra Day O’Connor enrolled at Stanford University at the age of 16, where she studied economics and political science.
Has Sandra Day O’Connor’s life been featured in any films or documentaries?
Yes, Sandra Day O’Connor’s life has been featured in several films and documentaries. HBO released a documentary about O’Connor’s life in 2009 called “Sandra Day O’Connor: The First.” Additionally, the feature film “On the Basis of Sex” features a portrayal of O’Connor by actress Felicity Jones.