“She had undaunted perseverance. There were no pity parties. She would just continue on, get it done, and figure it out. I think it came from the Lazy B.” “She traveled a great deal as an ambassador to many countries, especially for women’s rights. She was very busy afterward.” A Lasting Legacy Over the nearly 25 years she held a seat on the nation’s highest court, O’Connor became known for being a majority builder, but also for being a swing vote in divisive cases. She developed a reputation for independent, fact-based thinking and legal analysis and focused on the real-world impacts of Court decisions. Personal Challenges O’Connor faced personal challenges in the public eye. She underwent surgery and treatment for breast cancer and later cared for John, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Ally to Women O’Connor’s legacy extends to helping and inspiring women around the world, a role that she welcomed. Throughout her career, she worked to remove barriers to women’s progress and achievement. During her time on the Court, many publications ranked O’Connor as one of the most powerful women in the world. Moving On O’Connor retired from the Court in 2006 to care for John. They moved back to Phoenix, and she continued to hear cases in federal district courts and courts of appeals as a part-time visiting judge. In 2009, O’Connor was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. John died later that year. “ Her compassion in so many areas of life — for the impoverished, for those who have experienced discrimination, for the infirm — her court opinions reflect that.” President Barack Obama awarded O’Connor the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. FEBRUARY 2022 | 52 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

Coming Home Brick by Brick When O’Connor learned that a new owner planned to demolish the adobe home she and John had built on Denton Lane in Paradise Valley, friends formed a nonprofit to preserve the house. Each brick was dismantled, numbered, moved and reassembled in Tempe’s Papago Park. Named O’Connor House after that, the three-bedroom home is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Institute Concerned about the lack of knowledge young Americans have about how the government works, O’Connor founded the nonprofit, nonpartisan Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy in 2009. “It’s not that it’s a spectacular house. It’s spectacular history that happened there — all of the people that she entertained.” A Civic Vision Dedicated to promoting civil discourse, civic engagement and civics education, the O’Connor Institute strives to create a nation where important policy decisions are made through critical analysis of facts and informed participation of all citizens. The O’Connor Institute is designed to be a place where respectful listening and a higher level of dialogue can occur. “The vision for the Institute, and the direction for it, came from the Justice herself.” “With conditions in our electorate right now, with two sides seemingly distrusting of one another, we are in a unique position to serve not just Arizona, but the country as well.” O’Connor lived in what is known as the O’Connor House from 1958 until 1981. Camp O’Connor is a free, merit-based summer program for middle school students. Dr. Jill Biden spoke at the 2019 Legacy Luncheon.