Country Bids Farewell to Political Titans
Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor died last week at 93 in her home state of Arizona. The late justice made history as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and routinely served as the decisive vote on numerous landmark cases. As a jurist, O’Connor is remembered for consensus-building and treating opposing viewpoints with respect. Despite her conservative politics and mild manner, Justice O’Connor was a staunch defender of abortion rights and affirmative action but was not reluctant to take a controversial position as she did in Bush v. Gore. Critics bemoaning the partisanship of the Court look for lessons from Justice O’Connor to restore judicial cooperation.
What past political positions did O’Connor hold?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Country Bids Farewell to Political Titans
Videos
News Articles
Former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on the Supreme Court, dies
CNN
12/2/23
What Sandra Day O’Connor Could Teach Today’s Supreme Court
Politico
12/1/23
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/12/01/sandra-day-oconnor-legacy-00129693
The fading legacy of Sandra Day O’Connor, a trailblazing justice
The Economist
12/2/23
Sandra Day O’Connor reached for a middle ground. Would she fit in at the Supreme Court now?
USA Today
12/2/23
Henry Kissinger, dominant former secretary of state, dead at 100
The Independent
12/1/23
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/henry-kissinger-death-news-crimes-b2456325.html
The Kissinger years: flawed legacy of the man behind US cold war policy
The Guardian
12/2/23
Henry Kissinger’s friends, former colleagues reflect on his legacy: ‘A titanic figure’
Pompeo, McFarland, other former US officials discuss their experiences with the
Fox News
11/22/23
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/bill-johnson-30-house-member-not-seek-reelection-2024
Legacy of compassion: Remembering Rosalynn Carter’s impact
Fox 5 Atlanta
11/30/23
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/legacy-of-compassion-remembering-rosalynn-carters-impact
Assessment
Writing: Explain how the current Supreme Court has dismantled much of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s judicial legacy. Would a justice with O’Connor’s temperament have the same influence on today’s Supreme Court?
Debate: Is Justice O’Connor’s judicial philosophy unfairly categorized as a moderate, or does her record demonstrate a more consistent conservatism?
Poll: Did Justice O’Connor err in ruling with the majority in Bush v. Gore?
Short Answer: How did Secretary of State Henry Kissinger employ ‘”shuttle diplomacy” during the Yom Kippur war?
News Quiz
True/False
The second woman to serve on the Supreme Court was Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (T/F)
Justice O’Connor served on the Supreme Court until her death last week. (T/F)
Rosalynn Carter co-founded Every Child by Two to raise awareness on the need for childhood vaccinations. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
How many years did it take for a woman to be seated on the Supreme Court?
- 75
- 143
- 190
- 217
Where did Henry Kissinger teach before he was tapped by President Nixon to serve as national security adviser?
- Columbia
- Harvard
- Princeton
- Yale
First Lady Rosalynn Carter previously served in a similar capacity in which U.S. state?
- California
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Texas
