Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female U.S. District Court judge, dies at the age of 93

Sandra Day O’Connorthe first woman to hold the position of Supreme Court (TS) judge USAdied Friday at the age of 93.

According to a statement from the TS, O’Connor died this Friday in Phoenix, Arizona “from complications related to advanced dementia, likely Alzheimer’s disease, and respiratory illness.”

The judge was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan and served from 1981 to 2006, when she was 75 years old. During her time in office, she voted for abortion rights and gay rights, setting a precedent for women in North America.

“When women come to power, barriers will fall. “When society sees what women can do, when women see what women can do, there will be more women doing things, and we will all be better for it,” O’Connor said in a 1990 speech.

She also defended states’ rights against federal control and pushed for affirmative action in college admissions.

After her retirement from the Supreme Court on January 31, 2006, O’Connor remained active as an advocate for judicial independence and the rule of law around the world.

In recognition of her lifelong achievements, President Barack Obama (2009-2017) awarded Judge O’Connor the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on August 12, 2009. (JO)