Remembering Sandra Day O’Connor

When Sandra Day O’Connor served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1981 to 2005, moderates held sway on the divisive issues of the day, with O’Connor providing the decisive vote on numerous 5-4 decisions, prompting many to label it the “O’Connor court,” even though she never held the role of chief justice. She was seen by many at the time as “the most powerful woman in the world.” Her vote was decisive on a multitude of critical issues, from abortion to affirmative action to the separation of church and state.