Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s speech to the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia, June 29, 2011.
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, discussed her diverse career, including her roles in the private sector, nonprofit, and public service. She shared personal anecdotes, such as her early legal struggles and her first job as a legal secretary. O’Connor reflected on her experiences with colleagues like Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist, emphasizing the importance of civility and efficiency in the legal profession. She also touched on the current state of the Supreme Court, noting a decrease in case dockets and the need for respectful public discourse, as advocated by the National Union for Civil Discourse.