Sandra Day O’Connor, Champion of Federalism

null By The Editorial BoardDec. 1, 2023 6:32 pm ETJournal Editorial Report: The week’s best and worst from Kim Strassel, Allysia Finley and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/Zuma Press Composite: Mark KellySandra Day O’Connor, who died Friday at age 93, is being remembered as the first woman to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court. But her far more consequential legacy was as a champion of the role of the states in the Constitution. Ronald Reagan nominated O’Connor in 1981 while she was a state judge in Arizona. That in itself was unusual since she wasn’t on most short lists for the High Court. But the Gipper had promised to appoint a woman, and at the time there weren’t many women on the federal bench. Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8Sponsored OffersTurboTax: Save up to $15 with TurboTax coupon 2023The Motley Fool: Epic Bundle - 3x Expert Stock RecommendationsH&R Block Tax: Get 20% off H&R Block tax software productsTop Resum

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Sandra Day O’Connor, Champion of Federalism

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The Editorial Board

Dec. 1, 2023 6:32 pm ET

Journal Editorial Report: The week’s best and worst from Kim Strassel, Allysia Finley and Dan Henninger. Images: AP/Zuma Press Composite: Mark Kelly

Sandra Day O’Connor, who died Friday at age 93, is being remembered as the first woman to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court. But her far more consequential legacy was as a champion of the role of the states in the Constitution.

Ronald Reagan nominated O’Connor in 1981 while she was a state judge in Arizona. That in itself was unusual since she wasn’t on most short lists for the High Court. But the Gipper had promised to appoint a woman, and at the time there weren’t many women on the federal bench.