A somber atmosphere enveloped the Great Hall of the U.S. Supreme Court as the nation bid farewell to Sandra Day O’Connor, the trailblazing first female justice of the Supreme Court, who passed away on December 1 at the age of 93.
The flag-draped casket of Justice O’Connor took center stage during a private ceremony attended by all nine current justices, serving as a poignant reminder of her historic contributions to the highest court. Subsequently, the doors were opened to the public at 10:30 a.m. (1530 GMT) for a collective moment of reflection and tribute.
Hailing from Arizona, O’Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1981, carving out a legacy as a centrist force until her retirement in 2006. As the current and retired justices, including Justice Anthony Kennedy and Vice President Kamala Harris, stood in solemnity, the late justice’s American flag-draped casket became a focal point in the Great Hall.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor eloquently recalled O’Connor’s “extraordinary understanding of the American people” and praised her unwavering commitment to the court’s role and limitations. Sotomayor, deeply moved, described O’Connor as her “life role model.”
Notably, Justice Clarence Thomas, who shared over 14 years on the bench with O’Connor, appeared visibly moved, wiping away tears during the ceremony. Joined by his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, Thomas paid tribute to a longstanding partnership on the bench.
O’Connor’s passing, attributed to complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness, marked the end of a remarkable career. Despite being a conservative, O’Connor held the court’s ideological center, showcasing a talent for consensus-building on contentious issues. In 1992, she played a pivotal role in affirming the central holding in Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision legalizing abortion nationwide.
The ceremony, attended by Supreme Court police officers and honorary pallbearers designated by the family, included poignant moments. The casket rested on the historic Lincoln Catafalque, a pine board platform draped in black cloth that once supported President Abraham Lincoln’s coffin after his assassination in 1865.
Vice President Kamala Harris, in a statement, lauded O’Connor as “a champion of civics education” whose impact transcended the courtroom, helping countless young Americans understand the nature and importance of democracy.
As the nation pays its respects, a private funeral is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, marking the final farewell to a jurist who left an indelible mark on the annals of American legal history.
