Campaign Pledge Kept by Reagan

WASHINGTON-Breaking two centuries of male exclusivity on the Supreme Court, President Reagan disclosed Tuesday that he will nominate Sandra D. O’Connor for the high court . Mrs. O’Connor, 51, a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, was named to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Potter Stewart.

Reagan made the precedent-setting announcement Tuesday morning in the ‘ White House briefing room. The President described Mrs. O’Connor as “truly a person for all seasons, possessing those unique qualities of temperament, fairness. intellectual capacity, and devotion to the public good.”

IN PHOENIX, Judge O’Connor called the nomination a “momentous” day in her life and the life of her family, and said she was “extremely happy.” “If I am confirmed in the United States Senate,”she said, “I will do my best to serve the court and this nation in a manner that will bring credit to the President, to my family, and to all.the people of this great nation.” In making the nomination, Reagan kept a campaign pledge to appoint a woman to one of the first vacancies on the Supreme Court. At the time, Reagan had been under fire from women’s organizations for his opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment. REAGAN INTERVIEWED Mrs. O’Connor last Wednesday in the Oval Office. According to administration officials, Reagan was highly impressed and put her at the top of his short list of potential nominees. The President reportedly made the decision on Monday. Mrs. O’Connor is a moderate