Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Marc J. Zucker issued the following statement upon the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who died December 1, 2023 at age 93.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a trailblazing jurist and true friend of our Association,” Zucker said. ”Each year since 1993, the Association has conferred an award named for Justice O’Connor, recognizing an outstanding woman attorney or judge in the Philadelphia area who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and has furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community. Justice O’Connor spoke three times to our Association: in 1993, when the O’Connor Award was established, and again at quarterly meetings in 2003 and 2013.”
“Justice O’Connor was an inspiration and role model to us all. She was a brilliant attorney, legislator and jurist who pursued a career in in law at a time when there were few women in the profession, let alone at the highest levels of our judicial system,” Zucker said. “During her 24-year tenure on the Supreme Court, she authored 645 opinions, casting the decisive vote in some of the most consequential cases impacting on our society, including abortion (Planned Parenthood v. Casey), affirmative action (Grutter v. Bollinger), the establishment clause (McCreary County v. ACLU and Lee v. Weisman), voting rights (Hunt v. Cromartie) and campaign financing (McConnell v. FEC).
“Our Association has been proud to honor her with an annual award, recognizing outstanding women attorneys in Philadelphia, who have reached the highest degree of professional excellence and prominence and who have used that stature to mentor, promote and advance other women lawyers, as selected by our Women in the Profession Committee.” Zucker said.
“When I spoke with her in 2013, her formidable stature, warmth and wisdom were apparent. Her commitment to civics education, social equity, fairness and adherence to precedent were palpable.”
“In her 2003 remarks, hearkening back to ancient Rome, Justice O’Connor spoke of the importance of women leaders ‘lighting another’s lamp with the light of their own,’ noting that they possess no less light for having helped someone else.
“In her life and career, O’Connor was a source of illumination, often at the ideological center of the Court, adding a crucial perspective to issues that directly impacted the lives of women, and paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps. She will be greatly missed.”
Read more about Justice O'Connor's 2013 visit to the Bar Association.
Read more about Justice O'Connor's 2003 appearance at the Bar Association.
Read the transcript of Justice O'Connor's 1993 address to the Association.
Pictured above: Justices Sandra Day O'Connor (right) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the 2003 Fall Quarterly meeting.
