O’Connor is now a U.S. Justice

Sandra Day O’Connor took her seat today as the 102nd Justice and the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

President Reagan, who fulfilled a campaign promise to name a woman to the Court by nominating the 51-year-old Arizona judge, attended the brief ceremony in the courtroom. It was the first time a President had visited the Supreme Court since President Ford attended Associate Justice John Paul Stevens’ swearing-in ceremony in 1975.

President Reagan and Judge O’Connor entered the courtroom simultaneously but from opposite sides a few minutes past 2 o’clock. Judge O’Connor was escorted to a ceremonial chair, in the well of the courtroom below the bench, that was used in the Court’s early years by Chief Justice John Marshall. The eight members of the Court took their seats on the bench moments later. Spectators Fill Courtroom
The ceremony, formally known as an investiture, lasted barely 10 minutes. The courtroom was filled well beyond its 400-seat capacity with Judge O’Connor’s family and friends and with Government officials, including a number of Senators. The Senate confirmed Judge O’Connor on Tuesday by a vote of 99 to 0.

Potter Stewart, whose retirement from the Court in July paved the way for today’s event, watched from a seat at the side of the courtroom.

Attorney General William French Smith presented to the Court the official document, signed by President Reagan, commissioning Judge O’Connor as an Associate Justice. Alexander L. Stevas, clerk of the