No One Told Sandra Day O'Connor What to Do

The First Woman to

Serve on the United States

Supreme Court

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Sleeping Bear Press

pub. 5.1.2025

40 pages

Ages 6 - 9

Author: Molly Golden

   Illustrator: Julia Breckenreid

Character: Sandra Day O'Connor

Overview:

"On September 25, 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman to be a Supreme Court Justice in United States history. But who was Sandra Day O’Connor?

In the 1930s, it was hard to imagine any woman sitting on the highest court in the country, let alone a girl from a ranch in Arizona. At that time, girls (and women) were expected to learn how to keep house and cook meals. But even at a young age, Sandra knew she wanted a life beyond the traditional roles expected of women.

No one told Sandra what she could and couldn’t do. By challenging the assumptions of what women could and should do, Sandra opened the doors for others to do the same. Sandra Day O’Connor was the first, but her work ensured that she would not be the last!"

Tantalizing taste:

"Sandra cast the deciding vote in many important cases that helped protect civil rights, gender equality, religious freedom, and the environment.

Sandra believed people could learn from each other when they came together. She insisted all the justices meet for lunch once a week. Sometimes she sat in their ofice until they agreed to join."

And something more: The back matter explains that "After Sandra retired from the Supreme Court, she ... continued to avocate around the world for what she believed in: democracy, equal justice under the law, and the rule of law. She even carried a copy of the Constitution in her pocketbook."