El Pasoans reflect on life, legacy of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, left a legacy like no other in the legal field, especially in her hometown of El Paso.

O'Connor, 93, died Friday, Dec. 1, in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness, U.S. Supreme Court officials said in a statement.

The beloved Supreme Court Justice was born in El Paso and attended Austin High School. She was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served on the bench until her retirement in 2006.

Prominent El Pasoans, who have worked to carry on O'Connor's passion for fighting for justice, equality and civil rights, reflected on the passing of the icon.

'Champion for women's rights and equality'

"Sandra Day O'Connor's passing is a loss felt deeply, both as the first female Supreme Court Justice and as a proud representative of El Paso. Justice O’Connor was a champion for women's rights and equality. She leaves behind an enduring legacy. I hope that her memory and commitment to justice continues to be a guiding light for young women, proving that anything is possible."

Amanda Enriquez, El Paso lawyer

Justice O'Connor proved 'anything is possible'

"For women that are in public office, whether it's elected or appointed, I think of Justice O'Connor as somebody who made the path for us easier. She walked in the steps that we would later walk. At the time when she was in law school, she was a trailblazer for being in law school. But to be the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court really gives, especially young women, this sense of the glass ceiling breaking, that anything is possible.

"The fact that she was from El Paso made it all that more real. This wasn't somebody that grew up in New York and attended Ivy League schools and was so different from the rest of young El Paso women. She was, in many ways, just like the rest of us. Growing up in a beautiful community, where sometimes things like the Supreme Court seemed really far away, but it's not. Justice O'Connor proved that."

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal

'Inspired young minds to reach for the stars'

"The loss of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner has been felt in the El Paso community. Graduating from Austin High School, my very own alma mater, Justice O’Conner broke huge barriers becoming the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. She put El Paso on the national map and inspired young minds to reach for the stars. Her brilliance and legal acumen on the bench always stood out. Justice O’Conner will be missed."

Sergio Saldivar, El Paso lawyer

Trailblazer for all women

"Justice O'Connor was a trailblazer for all women in the community, in the legal community. Not just here in El Paso, but across the country. She really did open a lot of doors to women who wanted to serve as a judge or a justice. I'm just very grateful that she was the woman that she was and that President Reagan gave her a shot and appointed her to the Supreme Court.

"She's a great role model, who always based her decisions on the law, even when her personal opinions or her personal beliefs were in conflict with the decision that she was making. She felt that she had to follow the law, and that's what she did."

Selina Saenz, assistant county attorney for the El Paso County Attorney's Office

Paved road for woman, minorities

"Justice O'Connor played a very important role in a post-Civil Rights Supreme Court. Those courts had to deal with a lot of issues regarding equality, affirmative action, separation of powers. She was a very important figure in a lot of those opinions.

"Also being the first woman to hold a position in that court, she served as obviously a pioneer and an example for all other women who study law that they can eventually be appointed to the highest court. She also showed minorities could reach the highest court in our country. She was a very historical figure when it comes to the court and court policy."

Omar Carmona, El Paso lawyer

Role model for generations to come

"When you talk about Justice O'Connor, the obvious thing that comes to mind is the door that she knocked down for all women lawyers and the path that she laid out for women judges in this country.

"Before becoming a father, I would've never thought twice about or given much consideration to the fact that she was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, but now as a father of a little girl, seeing what Justice O'Connor did for all women is powerful and she has inspired generations of women lawyers and women judges in this country. She's basically the Neil Armstrong of the judicial world for all women in this country. Losing her is a tremendous loss to our legal community."

Justin Underwood, El Paso lawyer

'El Paso’s daughter'

“Justice O’Connor was El Paso’s daughter - attending Radford School for Girls and Austin High School - and a trailblazer in this country. We will always remember her, and now we will cherish her incredible legacy. May she rest in peace.”

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Pasoans reflect on life, legacy of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor