Reagan Names Woman Justice: Picks Judge O’Connor of Arizona, 51

President Reagan today broke with two centuries of American history and named a woman, Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Sandra D. O’Connor, to become a justice of the United States Supreme Court. O’Connor, 51, is a conservative Republican who Reagan said “is truly a person for all seasons.” “I commend her to you, and I urge swift bipartisan confirmation by the Senate,” Reagan said. The president made the announcement in an appearance in the White House press room. Attorney General William French Smith told reporters that the decision on the O’Connor nomination was made yesterday. Reagan, who interviewed O’Connor personally on July 1, said he would send a formal nomination to the Senate as soon as the FBI checks are completed . O’Connor, if confirmed, would take the place of retiring Justice Potter Stewart, who announced on June 18 that he was stepping down. She would make $88,700 and take her seat when the court convenes for its next term in October. Her name was the only one submitted to the White House by Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., who four years ago urged her to leave the bench to run for governor. Both Goldwater and Senate Judiciary Committee member Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz., as well as former House Republican Minority Leader John J. Rhodes, R-Ariz., had urged her appointment to the court. But the White House had come under extreme pressure in recent days from anti-abortion groups to drop O’Connor as a,potential nominee. Since Friday, scores of letters and telegrams had