Sandra Day O'connor: The First
american experience

When Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O'Connor as the Supreme Court's first female justice in 1981, the announcement dominated the news. Time Magazine's cover proclaimed "Justice At Last," and she received unanimous Senate approval. Born in 1930 in El Paso, Texas, O'Connor grew up on a cattle ranch in Arizona in an era when women were expected to become homemakers. After graduating near the top of her class at Stanford Law School, she could not convince a single law firm to interview her, so she turned to volunteer work and public service. A Republican, she served two terms in the Arizona state senate, then became a judge on the state court of appeals. During her 25 years on the Supreme Court, O'Connor was the critical swing vote on cases involving some of the 20th century's most controversial issues, including abortion, affirmative action - and she was the tiebreaker on Bush v. Gore. Forty years after her confirmation, this biography recounts the life of a pioneering woman who both reflected and shaped an era.

Episode Duration: 1 hour 53 minutes and 47 seconds

Episode Number: 3306

About American Experience:

As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation.


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Tue, Mar 28 9:00 P.M. The Movement and the "Madman"     NHPBS
Wed, Mar 29 1:30 A.M. The Movement and the "Madman"     NHPBS
Thu, Mar 30 2:30 A.M. The Movement and the "Madman"     NHPBS
Sat, Apr 1 8:00 P.M. Freedom Riders     NH WORLD
Sun, Apr 2 12:00 A.M. Freedom Riders     NH WORLD
Tue, Apr 4 9:00 P.M. The Sun Queen     NHPBS
Wed, Apr 5 1:00 A.M. The Sun Queen     NHPBS
Wed, Apr 5 1:00 P.M. The Sun Queen     NH EXPLORE
Wed, Apr 5 2:00 P.M. The Movement and the "Madman"     NH EXPLORE
Sun, Apr 9 3:00 A.M. The Sun Queen     NHPBS
Sat, Apr 15 8:00 P.M. The Murder of Emmett Till     NH WORLD
Sat, Apr 15 9:00 P.M. Zoot Suit Riots     NH WORLD
Sun, Apr 16 12:00 A.M. The Murder of Emmett Till     NH WORLD
Sun, Apr 16 1:00 A.M. Zoot Suit Riots     NH WORLD
Tue, Apr 18 9:00 P.M. The Sun Queen     NH WORLD
Wed, Apr 19 2:00 A.M. The Sun Queen     NH WORLD

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