The Career of Sandra Day O'Connor

Thirty Years Since America's First Female Justice Joined The Supreme Court
David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images

Facing The Senate
O'Connor is sworn in for testimony during her senate confirmation hearings in 1981. Though her qualifications made it difficult to argue against the wisdom of the appointment, conservative republicans at the time expressed reservations that she would not oppose abortion in decisions concerning Roe v. Wade.

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