December 1, 2023 

Contact: [email protected]   

Governor Whitmer Statement on Passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement on the passage of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. 

“Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was a trailblazing figure who made consequential decisions to move our nation forward.  

“A self-proclaimed ‘cow-girl’, O’Connor was born a rancher’s daughter. She rose through the Arizona court system before becoming the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She upheld the basic right to get an abortion, advocated for the separation of church and state, and stood up for stronger campaign finance laws. 

“Throughout her career, she was focused on bringing people together. She held dinners at her home between Democrats and Republicans to build consensus and foster friendship. She believed that we have far more in common than we do that divides us. 

“We have a lot to learn from Justice O’Connor. Her legacy and the way she lived her life should inspire us all.” 

###