Sandra Day O’Connor, Trailblazing Supreme Court Justice, Dead at 93

Sandra Day O’Connor, , Trailblazing Supreme Court Justice, , Dead at 93.

NPR reports that the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor, died on December 1 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The court announced that the 93-year-old retired Supreme Court justice died of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness.

The court announced that the 93-year-old retired Supreme Court justice died of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness.

In 1981, O'Connor was appointed to the nation's highest court by President Ronald Reagan.

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She retired in 2006 after serving on the Supreme Court for over 24 years.

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NPR reports that cases she held a deciding vote in pertained to abortion, affirmative action, campaign finance reform and states' rights.

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NPR reports that cases she held a deciding vote in pertained to abortion, affirmative action, campaign finance reform and states' rights.

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The minute I was confirmed and on the court, states across the country started putting more women... on their Supreme Courts.

, Sandra Day O'Connor, via NPR.

And it made a difference in the acceptance of young women as lawyers.

It opened doors for them, Sandra Day O'Connor, via NPR.

After her retirement, O'Connor became an outspoken critic of what she described as threats to judicial independence.

She also advocated for increased civics instruction in public schools to educate students on the structures and processes of the U.S. government.

She also advocated for increased civics instruction in public schools to educate students on the structures and processes of the U.S. government.

NPR reports that O'Connor's career has left a profound mark on the history of the nation and the Supreme Court.

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NPR reports that O'Connor's career has left a profound mark on the history of the nation and the Supreme Court.