HARRISBURG, Pa. (Dec. 1, 2023) — Pennsylvania Bar Association President Michael J. McDonald has issued a statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
“The Pennsylvania Bar Association joins bar associations across the country to honor the memory of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who passed away today at age 93.
“Bar associations like ours are indebted to Justice O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, who blazed a career trail for showing what is possible for women in the legal profession.
“Overcoming decades of barriers that limited women who wanted law careers, Justice O’Connor was not only the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, but the first woman to lead a state senate and have her name attached to a law school.
“After rising to the pinnacle of our judicial system, she didn’t forget the challenging work environment she experienced after law school and strived to remove those barriers for all women. She earned her law degree at a time when just two percent of all American law students were women and most law firms refused to hire female attorneys. She took her first job in a county district attorney’s office with no pay.
“Justice O’Connor persevered and she championed the removal of the many hurdles that had limited women in the practice of law. In turn, our profession and our justice system became stronger with the addition of more women shaping the operations of our law firms and our courts.
“In addition, Justice O’Connor left a lasting legacy in the form of a nonprofit institute focused on civility, civic engagement and civics education, which are keys in advancing American democracy. The Pennsylvania Bar Association has long joined Justice O’Connor in promoting objective, fact-based discourse in encouraging the public to be active in their communities and in supporting the expansion of civics education in our schools.
“Those of us who practice law respect and admire the unparalleled life, leadership and legacy of Justice O’Connor. May her memory be a lasting symbol for justice across our country.”