The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who made history as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, is currently lying in repose at the court's Great Hall. O'Connor, a native of Arizona, passed away on December 1 at the age of 93. Her casket was brought up the steps of the court, with her former clerks lining the path, and passed under the iconic words "Equal Justice Under Law" before being placed in the Great Hall. Prior to the public viewing, a private ceremony was held where all nine current members of the court, as well as retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, attended.

During the private remembrance, Justice Sonia Sotomayor gave a heartfelt speech, describing O'Connor as her role model. Sotomayor, who serves on the board of iCivics, an organization founded by O'Connor to promote civics education, praised the late justice for her impact on the court and the nation. She emphasized that O'Connor was a living example for women, proving that they could take on any challenge and succeed in male-dominated spaces with grace. Sotomayor stated, "She was devoted to making a better world, and that's what she did."

The last justice to lie in repose at the Supreme Court was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female justice, whose death occurred in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mourners paid their respects to Ginsburg by passing by her casket outside the building. In contrast, O'Connor's funeral services will take place on Tuesday at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to give speeches.

O'Connor's nomination in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan marked a significant milestone, as she became the first woman to break the 191-year tradition of male exclusivity on the Supreme Court. Despite initially being relatively unknown on the national stage, O'Connor quickly gained prominence and received more letters in her first year than any other member in the court's history. She soon became known as the most powerful woman in the country.

Throughout her tenure, O'Connor had a considerable influence on the court's decisions. She often favored states in disputes with the federal government and frequently sided with law enforcement when faced with claims of rights violations. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the court's rulings on abortion, twice joining the majority to uphold and reaffirm the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. However, thirty years later, a more conservative court overturned Roe, with the opinion written by her successor, Justice Samuel Alito.

In addition to her work on abortion cases, O'Connor authored the majority opinion in the 2003 case Grutter v. Bollinger. This decision held that the Constitution allowed the limited use of race in admissions decisions, a position that was later overturned by the court's expanded conservative majority in June of this year, effectively ending affirmative action in higher education.

O'Connor's upbringing on a ranch in Arizona helped shape her tenacious and independent spirit. Despite graduating as one of the top-ranked students from Stanford Law School, she faced discrimination when seeking employment, as most large law firms did not hire women at the time. Undeterred, she built a successful career in law, serving as a member of the Arizona Legislature and as a state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at the age of 51. Upon her arrival, she faced the challenge of being the only woman on the court until 1993 when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined.

O'Connor retired from the Supreme Court at the age of 75, citing her husband's struggle with Alzheimer's disease as her primary reason for leaving. Her husband, John O'Connor, passed away three years later in 2009. Despite retirement, she remained active, serving as a judge on federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence, and participating in the Iraq Study Group. In recognition of her contributions, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

O'Connor passed away in Phoenix due to complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. She is survived by her three sons, Scott, Brian, and Jay, six grandchildren, and a brother. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to iCivics, the organization she founded to promote civics education. Sandra Day O'Connor's legacy as a trailblazer and influential jurist will forever be remembered and celebrated.