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To sit on Supreme Court: O’Connor takes oath of office

September 25, 1981

ITEM DETAILS

Type: Newspaper article

Author: Associated Press

Source: Douglas Disp.

Collection: The Kauffman-Henry Collection

Date is approximate: No

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WASHINGTON – Sandra Day O’Connor raised her right hand and swore the oath of office today as the 102nd American – and the first woman – to sit on the Supreme Court.

Vowing to “do equal right to the poor and to the rich .” the former Arizona legislator and appeals court judge became .Justice O’Connor during a brief ceremony in the marble and mahogany courtroom of the nation’s highest court. President Reagan. who broke a 191-year tradition when he appointed Mrs. O’Connor to the lifetime position. was among the 500 guests who watched Chief Justice Warren E. Burger administer the oath of office. Also on hand was retired associate justice Potter Stewart, whom Mrs . O’Connor replaced. Two hours earlier, Mrs. O’Connor had …

Burger. who accompanied her. asked photographers . “You’ve never seen me with a better looking justice. have you?” …

:-,ne was dressed in the robe she wore as a state judge. “I’ll buy a new one eventually,” she said . ‘”They do get old. you know. The arms get all worn out.” Burger suggested Congress might be willing to appropriate funds for a new robe. Mrs. O’Connor, her arm held by Burger, posed with her parents. Harry and Ada Mae Dav : her husband . .John; and their three sons

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