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Hello, everyone here. What a tremendous honor an opportunity is. I have just to stand

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with us today. Certainly, if there was anyone, no introduction,

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justice.

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Justice. Justice O'Connor was nice enough to come here at the invitation of student in 1991. Angela Bucci then now Angela Paulus, a member of the room Island bench. Haha, wrote tirelessly suggesting so kinda about the history of this law school established exclusively for women and justice. So kinda graciously came here 1991 she was the first justice to have a portrait

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of Georgetown at night and Aaron said yes,

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it's still there.

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That's never going anywhere.

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But she also was nice enough to come back for our hundred anniversary where she was the keynote speaker of the Boston Garden. You can still see that on the website, if you care to I think it was a wonderful day for the last book. Obviously enhanced exponentially because just so kind of was willing to be with us as is Today, I don't think it's a good idea for me to take all of her time. We've agreed upon a little bit of a format with everyone's doctrines. And the first thing I'd like to let you know, we're going to talk about a couple of issues that Justin so kind of strongly about, and that will take some questions. But I would like to welcome everyone to thank you so much.

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Thank you.

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And, again, trying to keep in mind the theme here of this to the students today. Joy company. We've been fortunate to spend some time, just so kind of some of the issues that she feels strongly about. And she was a tremendous leader both before and after her court. So why don't we begin by buy

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your turn

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
on our us our turn it back way. Well,

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and we were happy that that when you decided to retire from the court, that you were determined to stay active as she said to me try and continue to make a difference. And one of the areas that she is most passionate about right now is a project that she started called iCivics, which might talk a little bit about that just so kind of

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Yeah. It's shocking how little most people know about our government. They can't, I think, not even two thirds of the public I mean, the three branches of government. Much, let's say what they do is just amazing how little people seem to know. If you become a new citizen of the country, you have to pass very challenging tests and answer questions. But those who were born here in our citizens automatically apparently, we have learned a lot because the statistics are terrible. one in eight can name the president now therefore, that would be better after a recent election probably. I don't know. But it's it's shocking how little people know So, like I was young, I back to school medical Paso, Texas. I grew up on a remote ranch that was happening it was I'm going to have to move XE go. We didn't have school anywhere. So I was sent off to LA to live with maternal grandparents and we go to school in El Paso. Me at six. It seemed to me practically every year I was sick and Davidow. In the long run, it was probably a good idea. I probably learned there was a judicial branch. So that's good. But today's young people know so little about how are so it's frightening. And I found fault I was serving on the court that Jeff is popular. We saw all kinds of things being introduced in Congress that were just scary. Try to do something to judges. If there was a proposal in South Dakota apology $1 for their constitution with over so that they could send a state court judge to jail if the judge me for certain kind of decision. I mean, it was amazing. So I thought what that was telling me was that we ought to do more education in this country about how government works. In other words, six classes, and I got a lot of passive I got sick and tired. But maybe it was a good thing in the long run either. There was a judicial branch didn't get back in my life. But it is a concern, because most states have stopped teaching civics, me. Young people cannot make a free branches of government. That's pretty fundamental, pretty basic. It's just really a worry. So I thought we are do some civics education. And I put together a website with charitable contributions. We got no Gates Foundation and things like that get started. And I have an advisory group of fabulous teachers. And my aim was Middle School. Now, I should know what you think about middle school, but by the time you're Middle School, your brain has grown as large as it's going to grow. I mean, it's they're totally kicked

in middle school. And so there is my target. And we can teach them something about church and also in middle school, they spent on an average 40 hours A week in front of sometimes screen TV or computer stop that told me Maybe we should have to teach him something about singers. And that if we put games, right, they like it. They want to sit there and play games on the computer. How many of you have tuned into iCivics? Yeah, so if you haven't, look at it, because it really is fun. It's full of games that pick up people play. And in the process, they learn about civics. And recently we had a game dealing with running for president just a big time. Big timely things. But it's a vehicle for Bernie and I think we're starting to make a difference. I have cheer people in space. I had lunch today with the woman who's Chair of ice privacy, and you can help spread the word. You know anybody in middle school, worked on it. It's called Little iPads and iPods and I everything so I thought I sent me

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S

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this

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cornea and I just scored as a faculty member here. So people are familiar with him. We have a little history lesson at lunch from just about YO public schools and experts out there.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Oh, that's right, you know, constitution drafted and adopted in this country and never made any sense. We got some states started to approve it, so forth. And about 30 years after we adopted our Constitution. There was a movement in the country among those states for the states to Try to teach civics to teach young people walks in the constitution on what form of government we adopted and to do it because the school program and to develop public schools for that purpose. That's why they wanted to scam public schools. And we got public schools eventually and all 50 states and skill power. So I'm just hoping they'll remember your purpose and go back teacher iCivics.

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Well, and I'm thinking that everyone in this room will look into the iCivics website. She was taking names before. Let me if I may move on to another issue that you prominent and address and that is the independence of the tradition. But

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some of your concerns there

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
very much so. You know, I have been state court judge in my own State of Arizona and I served on a 12 inch chair and then went off the appellate court bench in Arizona. And it was from that spot. President Reagan made the appointment because the Supreme Court I don't think it was a perfect background. But anyway, vascular doctor.

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I have

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
been concerned about how we select judges in the federal system. HO judges are selected by the press. And they need to be confirmed by the US Senate. And there's no term for federal judges, basically, until the judge decides it's time to retire. And I think that's a much better system that those states that have popped it instead to eat their chapters. And we left to church them and I started being a judge in Arizona proper when I had to run for the position, your resolve and respond to those states that require lecture. And that means I have to raise money to publish a few ads and hopes that people would recognize the name and perhaps cast a vote. And I'd have to worry about it is a terrible way for Jeff to stand after you get chosen. The people who contributed more in every instance the lawyers, staff to appear, wanted to put money in the park and have me remember, so don't fake something

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good. We should.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Federal money I think in the state and number of states did a great many of our seats still have popular election of judges. So that's been wonderful things that I've tried to address as I've gone around the country and having an audience that might listen. And I still hope that we will make progress getting rid of judicial elections. I think at the moment, we're making a lot of progress there. Why don't they tell me some states that electric directors

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Alright, so, so that I don't entirely know. I'm going to ask one more question, but I'm going to give a little bit but we're having lunch. I asked Justice O'Connor. About how how well the clatter house project was doing. And I think it's something that she feels is a very worthwhile endeavor. So maybe my last question would be could you was so interesting talking about that, would you share that with our students?

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
My husband and I met in Los and he promptly got drafted no stakes we have breath during the Vietnam years and eat been deferred in a small school in so big graphic. And we said he was sent overseas to Frankfurt, Germany, and we have been married long, it was so hard for me to get a job. And imagine how hard it was. I paid well and lost. All my classmates who also be a girl was a fellow bank with rain forest. And I thought and I was on the floor with you and did all the things that I thought were good. And I had hoped, I really thought I just assumed that it would be better job. And because we were getting married, and we both like to eat, and john was going to be offering the service, I'm really needed Pat job and there were place gnosis on the bulletin board. Again, Stanford was saying, Stanford Law graduates call us we'd like to talk to you about perspective. And I personally hope every single number on their phone, and there were at least 49% Not a single one of them would give me an interview. And I said, FIFO give me an Arabic In the rankings, they said, Well, we don't hire women. And I said, Well, why not? Because our client, Stanford, obviously the answer that I got and it was just amazing. Thank head over yet today, but it was it was just shocking and I really didn't know what to do. And I'll tell you the story about what happened because I needed like to eat. So I heard that the county attorney in San Mateo County, California had once had a problem on a stamp so I wrote him and made the point. And like all the elected officials, he was very glad to me

October I was looking for a job and hope might find my application working. And he looked and said, Oh, yes, very, very on record here. But he said, I'm at my county board of supervisors. And I'm not funded to hire another deputy used to money they've given me to hire deputies and I don't have any question left or somebody well, so that good present kind of a problem. And so I nevertheless saw him and have you walking around the office and show me around and I said, Well, I'll take for I we would like to work for you here looks interesting, me an hour or nothing. Until such time is the supervisors decide to give you some money well, obviously A place to put another deputy right now and he had walked me around the office said that was true. There wasn't a fake office. And I said, Well, I know I don't have an office right now. But I met your secretary and she's very nice. And there's room in her space to put a second desk if she wouldn't object. That was my first job out of law school. Okay, can I put my guess get a secretary. But you know what, I loved my job. I thought it's very good questions from all the different agencies and divisions of county government about May I can I do this legally, can I do that? How can I do this better be everything I loved. My job, and five is doing really good. And so I stay number of months there without any pain and with my guest, Secretary, but I did like very much what I was doing that was my start. And it was in the public separate, which can be when I liked actually close to my life. So it all worked out. And then eventually my husband got drafted, first for the Vietnam War from the draft and he got drafted. And he was sent off to Charlottesville, Virginia for school that was at the university boys, and we have been married long enough. So I gave up my job and went back to the University of Virginia and of course, I couldn't get a job for three months back here. I just can't. I took Okay, I'm showering It was a Sunday or Saturday. And I have never been to Washington DC. So I said, I drive up to Washington DC today and have a look, I love to see my husband had actually traveled different in different states city. So we drove up and I said, Now let's go look at the Supreme Court. So we drove up Capitol Hill and park and die out and bought all around the Supreme Court. And since it was the weekend, it was locked up. We couldn't get in. And we said each other well, that's the closest we'll ever get. And I took pictures of my husband, he said this uniform in pillars of fear from the steps of the court, and little did we know that we spend a lot of time

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go back arrows A leader of the legislature as being one of the non partisan people who would get things done. And that led to one

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
person I ran as a member of my political party, ran for the office and was elected for what I quickly learned is that you have to make friends on both sides of the whole party and friendly and be interested in in talk about the issues. And so I did that with the people on both sides of the aisle. And every young man I make chalupa

leaders are both parties over and get some beer and we sit around outside or the house on the desert and each person drink beer It's interesting how And there came to be a real problem in the legislature something we have it get up and worked on, someone had to get a compromise. I could usually manage that because we have the conference and maybe reasonable in some fashion. I just think that's so important. And I think that's stuck with what we lost today. And I'm not sure why. But I think even though we have different political parties, in your members of different parties, you know, this can talk about and agree at some point down the line, what needs to be done and get it done. So that was fun either. When I was in the legislature in Arizona, probably a pretty good as

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well as in recognition of her contribution. After ability to get

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her home and Adobe home

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Arizona and New Mexico is being preserved. And just that

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
yes when my to Phoenix to live and work after he got out of the service. We wanted to build a house we had our first child I'm into more so we have little people we have to be I get thrown up on the lazy ranch in our don't couch. It was a house where we put plaster on the walls through the years. The Adobe staff but it didn't happen. It had a flat roof in plastered, but my husband and I decided to build an adobe house and we found we needed a place that would make no BS I could find first dope experiment, brick snake and bacon Broxton. We are live a break, but I want to celebrate Adobe. And they're wonderful. They're just made out of the mud and Dr. Son and they feel good and wonder. And so we found a contractor who was willing to build the songwriter duties and we persuaded him to do that and my husband now I mixed fan of the load and embrace every joint electrical conduit to shake I can we painted the walls inside and out with the Adobe mud and I just loved the finished product. It was fabulous. You put your hand on it, you're absolutely wonderful. So back to our house. And when I was named for the Supreme Court in 1981 We haven't moved to Washington DC and housing in DC is much more expensive than in Arizona. So we had to sell our house which was heartbreak, but we had to do them and be it. But if at the end of the day was going to tear it down and build a mansion in France and Arizona said, Oh, we can't let the car be destroyed. And I said, we can't move, make sense. Adobe by Adobe trucks and a lot given to the store society in Tempe, Arizona

and the house was moved and put off there. And it's reconstructed. And it's fabulous. It just looks so good, I'm thrilled. And we're using a different place for civil POC leads to civic action. Because that's what it takes. You have to get along with people have different viewpoints and talk about that. Maybe you will read on the bottom line. But if you've talked about it, and everybody gets to express their views, you've got a good chance of getting some working agreement with people if you approach it that way. And that's what we're trying to do with the O'Connor pass on lots of major issues like purchase we do with illegal aliens and education in Arizona and we're trying to apply this principle and get some suggestions going that will solve some of that problem and many others as well. But it's been

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a tremendous

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Are you willing to take a few questions from

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our students?

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
I don't promise the answer.

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So yes, let's start with their well,

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should I stand?

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Why not? Thanks.

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Seniors My question is the first to go without saying but I'm sure I'm speak on behalf of everyone in this room when I say thank you so much for sharing your time today with us. It's really an honor.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Five years.

He is really terrific. You know, how lucky you all are? KFD know, Brian, how many years have you been being here now?

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Don't say too long.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
2324 and I don't do for many of those 24 years and there are not many law school being who survived? You know, they can't take Trump. But he has. He's been wonderful. And I'm so impressed with his goals for the law school with the law school, so when he invites me to something, it's off the cover to say no.

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My name is Jeff night and I'm the business managing editor for The New England Law Review, the flagship publication in New England law, Boston. And in just two days on Thursday, we're having our annual symposium this time titled crisis in the judiciary. It's meant to highlight the fiscal crisis that state courts all over America been struggling with they are your remarkable career, including your having served in all three branches of state government and Arizona provides you with to be sure a very special perspective on this issue. My question, Justin, Justice O'Connor, is whether there are any remarks you wish to share on the current funding crisis facing state judiciary's in America.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
But there's not one answer. You know, every state has its own particular financial situation. So they're not identical in terms of your resources or of your system or their needs. And they don't all have the same kind of judicial system. But obviously, this is a time when money is scarce and the needs continue to grow. And as last it was you care about having enough funding to have the kind of teachers and professors that are inspiring and law school that meets your needs, and we all want to see that happen. So how are we going to do it? I don't have any easy answer except that having served in the legislature, legislators act to make some choices, and then you have to decide which programs need funding and have What level of funding you will have to provide so big they can survive, and I better the legislature. I know how hard some of those financial decisions are made. But you have to try to persuade, legislate for step one, what you're doing in this school is important, and it is just like you wouldn't be here. Essential amount that it takes to run the school. Obviously, you have to pay some professors not to learn much without professors. And you have to have a physical plan to maintain them somewhere. You know, I'm being a little overcrowded. But it's a tough deal, right? And I don't know how long we're going to spend the actual pressure. I don't think anybody does. have to wait and see but you can be part of trying to be persuasive with Folks, people who have to help support the school you perhaps

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you don't have the certainly the state schools have had such pressure that many, including the lack of California are actually charging my private

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schools which is,

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which is

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Hello, my name is Parker Reynolds and I'm a first year student here cnet's we are three weeks and two days from our first exams. First exams

careful, very

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I was hoping you could be providing

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
a seminar good manners. But I read everything I thought we had to read to do it. But then I have a group of fellow students that I thought seemed bright and competent. And they would kind of get together as well and talk to each other about what we thought the main topics of the exam. And aside from just work, work, work hard, thanks.

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Hi, my name is Eric Hagen. I'm a second year I was just curious if you had ever read any like criticisms or critiques or support for any of your decisions and publications are Did they ever have any impact on your you know, future?

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Obviously, we had at least six votes or you wouldn't know Patrick court to speak up.

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Five, but

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
yes, you read some about what people have to say about it. You read some in the press, and then you are going to see more probably in published Lori the word then you do with the press. And it's always interesting to read, but I have to say, and you can't please everybody is the lesson.

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But don't worry, the best you can.

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In the back, just Scott, you mentioned a little earlier with the elected judges about the effects of donations when they would donate to your campaign and they come in there. They got to get a baby.

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How do you feel about that? As far as like other elected officials in the legislative and executive?

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
I can't quite hear what you're saying. I guess you're asking about our system of campaign financing generally is if you're not a judge if you're in some other position, Yes, correct. Well, if you've taken money, particularly if it's a lot of money from someone who stands to benefit greatly from your action is a public figure. That's a lot worried. And if you're not worried about that, and must have nerves of speed, or concern, that is the problem with election public officials. Your concern always is if you take money then can you act fairly and appropriately in decisions affect somehow the business or activity of the people who've donated to you or people like that? I mean, that's what you worry about. And you have to tell yourself, Well, can I be fair? Oh, yes, I can be fair. That's right. But that's subsystem in large measure, isn't it? Because we elect many of our officials. And if you ask public opinion, a lot of people in the room it's not that people want to give that up. No, I don't. So we have to somehow try to make it work. And it's a very

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neat car for a second.

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
to cater to the public system in Texas, in your Isagenix program, while it's welcomed by educators, not necessarily accepted by legislators to respond to

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what is your What efforts to convince the legislature

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
legislators are spending? What what it is the schools are teaching and how they teach it. I found very impressed by legislators in specifics of what you're teaching. I mean, if you were teaching them not to elect public officials in a minute, so facts, turn of mind. But I do think it's important to have a general understanding and knowledge check out what's being taught and why. And if parents can see that their kids are learning and the cancer, obviously enjoying out and what they're learning. That's plus, can you hope to keep it going now? Just so caught on Suzanne Gilliam my first year last year. Earlier that you didn't know if your background was perhaps perfect for supreme court justice that seems from the outside, like being in all three branches would be very helpful. Would you if you could design the ideal career leading idea fantastic, right? And I don't think I'm good, I'm good, okay. But I think you have to write very persuasive because you need to persuade colleagues and then correctness of your decision and so good, effective, persuasive writing.

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Whether it's parents Harper up a second year student, because you have been so active after your terrible Have you been able to, with the current cases in front of the Supreme Court now? And if so, are there any certain cases where if you had to change your

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
I'm not going to run around making statements about decisions that my former colleagues have to make. It's up to families days, and they don't need my advice. Of course, I have my own opinions, particularly with me. Taking is a case of your case to undo something that I wrote here.

My name is Sue me. I'm a first year law student. I had a question about. Justice Roberts has been criticized by some for voting alongside blood Justice for the Affordable Care Act. Um, in your opinion, do you find it difficult or possible for justice to make decisions alongside spike affiliations when they don't have any choice? I mean, you were there as a caster for life. And you in that position to have to decide the cases that the court takes and may may not be something that you could actually have to stop and be rejected. So just have to try and be fair and impartial. That's the idea. think it probably is you have to do all the reading and try to follow the law as a therapist person. Yes, I think we have pretty good court battle.

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So kind of my name and extra 30 or evening student here and when when I also had the privilege of heading up our federal It chapter question for you. It seems every election season with the president we hear about what type of justices the President will appoint. But it seems to me we care very little about the lower federal courts, the district courts, the Court of Appeals. And right now we have quite a few vacancies on these courts. What if anything, do you think can be done to raise the dialogue up to encourage

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people to contact their elected officials to push for

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these vacancies? because that is where the rubber meets the road in the federal system?

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
Yes, it is a concern. And we do have a fairly large federal judicial positions in the country that have to be filled and the term of years I was for life that people step down and retire and never do it in there and his ruling successful party, get people nominated for the positions and we can do it. You just can't effort. But I think there has been a lot of controversy in the last few years about the appointments to the district of appellate courts. I think it's gone rather smoothly, don't you? blog about it at all. You pay more attention when it's the US Supreme Court. And probably some attention after Court of Appeals level. That's very good District Court.

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Will do one more question. All right, you pick.

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I just

Student
My name is Katerina and I'm a one else you've accomplished so much in your life and throughout your legal career and your legal education. Who did you look to as a role model?

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
What's the question?

Student
Who did you look to as a role model throughout your--

Sandra Day O'Connor [automatically transcribed, may contain inaccuracies]
I didn't have one! I didn't have a clue. I knew that I wanted to work at work worth doing. And I didn't know what that word was going to be. And I kind of follow along and get your affected by what opportunities emerge as you go along. And I was practicing law and all of a sudden there was an opportunity to be in the legislature in my legislative district. Now, it wasn't something that was on my to do list. But the legislature in my district, took a job in Washington DC. And I waited fill a vacancy with crops that run in the next election. So I took that I was appointed and then the Acropolis for the office in the next election and managed to get elected. And then you do of course, there was an opening in the State Senate in my legislative district and I decided to apply for back in summer. And things just happen. Oh, wait, you do a good job. In a job that you have. Your chances are much better paying on facts or having another opportunity in some other public office. And I was lucky, I think, in Arizona. I ended up serving in all three branches of Arizona. Which was interesting as could be in in that way, so you can get involved at some level in your own Come here for state because it isn't thanks today. I enjoy talking to