The Career of Sandra Day O'Connor

Informed Opinions
O'Connor's opinions evolved with her tenure in the Supreme Court. Initially, she sided with her conservative colleagues on most issues, making exceptions for issues of freedom of speech and information. She gained a reputation as a defender against sex discrimination, famously penning an opinion in a case that called a nursing school's decision to refuse admission to male applicants unconstitutional. She is pictured here in her office before the start of her first judicial season in 1981.

• Sandra Day O'Connor To Retire