First woman confirmed as Supreme Court justice

Thirty-nine years ago this week, Sandra Day O’connor became the first woman confirmed to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. After 25 years on the court, O’connor stepped down in 2006.

To date, four women and 110 men have served on the nation’s highest court.

From The San Diego Union, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1981:

SENATE CONFIRMS O’CONNOR, 99-0

FIRST WOMAN TO JOIN SUPREME COURT; ‘HISTORIC DAY,’ REAGAN SAYS

From The San Diego Union’s News Services

WASHINGTON — The Senate, ending an all-male tradition nearly two centuries old, unanimously confirmed Sandra Day O’connor as an associate justice of the Supreme Court yesterday.

O’connor, a 51-year-old Arizona state appeals judge, will be sworn in Friday in time to join the court for the opening of its 1981-1982 term on Oct. 5.

The vote was 99-0. Only Sen. Max Baucus, D-mont., who was attending an economic conference in his home state, was missing from the tally. He had supported O’connor in earlier committee action.

After the vote, O’connor appeared on the steps of the Capitol with Senate leaders, Vice President George Bush and Attorney General William French Smith.

Grinning jubilantly, she said she was overjoyed by the depth of Senate support for her nomination.

“My hope is that after I’ve been across the street and worked for awhile that they’ll all feel glad for the wonderful vote they gave me today,” she said.

Once installed on the court, she said, “I’m going to get very busy, very fast.”

“Today is truly a historic occasion,” said Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee, leading off a series of 22 speeches in warm praise of President Reagan’s first high court nominee.

Hailing a “happy and historic day,” President Reagan said in a statement the confirmation of his nominee “symbolizes the richness of opportunity that still abides in America — opportunity that permits persons of any sex, age or race, from every section and walk of life, to aspire and achieve in a manner never before even dreamed about in human history.”

Senators praised the nominee’s composure on the witness stand, her demeanor at a formal reception and the fact that she can cite Supreme Court opinions “as easily as most people would recite their birthdates,” in the words of Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-ariz., who has been one of O’connor’s most enthusiastic supporters.

Republican leader Howard Baker declared it “a rare historic day that graces all branches of government.”

“We have finally reached a point in the history of the United States where gender is not a consideration,” said Democratic leader Robert Byrd.

As the vote neared, a small knot of conservatives who had questioned O’connor’s views on abortions fell into line behind her nomination.