President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt eulogy for the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at her funeral held at the Washington National Cathedral. Reflecting on his presence at her confirmation hearing in 1981, Biden described O'Connor as a "person for all seasons" and praised her desire for civility and trust in the capacity of human institutions.

O'Connor, who was confirmed unanimously by the Senate, went on to become the court's deciding vote in over 300 cases, including the historic Bush v. Gore case in 2000, which ended Florida's presidential ballot recount and secured George W. Bush's victory. Biden acknowledged that not everyone agreed with all of O'Connor's decisions, but emphasized that her principles were deeply held and of the highest order.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who was initially slated to be O'Connor's successor, shared a lighthearted story about his connection to her nomination. He recalled being assigned to support O'Connor's nomination as a young Justice Department attorney, and she later humorously remarked on his own nomination to replace her, saying, "the only problem was I didn't wear a skirt." Roberts expressed gratitude that the situation did not come to that and praised O'Connor for breaking down barriers and empowering generations of women.

In addition to Biden and Roberts, other speakers at the funeral included Vice President Kamala Harris, O'Connor's law clerks, members of Congress, and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. O'Connor was remembered as a trailblazer and a role model, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor describing her as a "living example" that women could excel in male-dominated spaces.

O'Connor, an Arizona native, was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and served as its ideological center for over two decades. Known for her moderate conservatism, she consistently favored states in disputes with the federal government and played a crucial role in rulings on abortion and affirmative action. After retiring from the court in 2006 to care for her husband, O'Connor became an advocate for civics education and founded the group iCivics.

President Barack Obama awarded O'Connor the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, recognizing her immense contributions to the legal profession and her commitment to public service. Her impact on the court and American society as a whole cannot be overstated, as she paved the way for more women to serve in positions of power and influence.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will be laid to rest following the funeral services held at the National Cathedral. Known as an American pioneer, O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and became the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Throughout her tenure, she broke down barriers and transcended political divisions, focusing on the impact of the law on everyday people.

Her influence was particularly evident in the court's rulings on abortion, as she twice helped form the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed the right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade. However, decades later, a more conservative court would overturn Roe, with the opinion being written by her successor, Justice Samuel Alito.

O'Connor's impact extended beyond the courtroom, as she was a staunch advocate for civics education and founded the organization iCivics. She received numerous accolades for her contributions, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.

At the funeral, President Biden paid tribute to O'Connor's commitment to principle over politics and her belief in the interconnectedness of the American people. He emphasized the need for Americans to come together as partners in shaping the nation's destiny. Chief Justice Roberts, in his remarks, praised O'Connor's ability to break down barriers and empower women.

O'Connor's legacy will forever be remembered, as she paved the way for future generations of women to serve in positions of power and made significant contributions to American jurisprudence.