Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has a new book out, The Majesty of the Law,in which she discusses basic principles of American law as well as American knowledge and attitudes towards the law.

Justice O'Connor, the first woman Supreme Court justice, and for many years the only woman on the court, has both a reverence and a passion for the law.

Hearing about her new book reminded me of meeting her, in February 1990, as part of a class trip for Honors Media Law.

I'd only taken the course because my advisor, who was teaching it, advised me to do so. For future reference, this is generally a bad reason for taking a course. Aside from me, the course was filled with pre-law majors who chatted before class about L.A. Law and who lived amongst the law books in Penn State's Pattee Library. Hands down, it was the most challenging course I took as an undergrad at Penn State and, perhaps because of that, ultimately one of the most rewarding.

One of the perks my advisor had dangled in front of me was the chance to see the Supreme Court in action and get a one-on-one with Justice O'Connor, who'd agreed to meet personally with the class in her chambers. I'd always admired Justice O'Connor and gladly jumped on the chance, even though it meant committing myself to legal briefs, grueling exams, and even a moot court.

Initially, the trip reminded me of a sixth grade field trip; we drove up in a school van and had a prepared itinerary. We had a personal letter from Justice O'Connor which was supposed to get us inside, but even in those days of lighter security, the guard made us take a side entrance.

The trial room was smaller than I'd imagined, and the seats were like uncomfortable pews. Today, having visited several more courtrooms in my capacity as a reporter, I know that all courtrooms have such seating. I think it's to remind people of the sanctity of the room. Either that or to keep them from falling asleep.

The first case was difficult to understand, because it was very technical. Justice O'Connor gave the woman attorney hell, because she was sidestepping the issues.

"You still haven't answered my question!" O'Connor exclaimed.

The second case, Keller v. California Bar Association, was more of a free speech issue, which interested me far more. The plaintiff was concerned that the bar association was speaking on behalf of all the lawyers in the state, who were obligated to be a part of the association and therefore had no choice but to be implicated in anything the bar association said.

Afterwards, we met with Justice O'Connor. They ushered us into an imposing room that was probably intended to intimidate people. We waited there until she came out. We stood up.

She was shorter than I would have thought; about my height. She looked very pleasant and sort of nervous.

"Are you from the University of Penn?" she asked. Well, not quite. My professor gently corrected her.

She gave a brief address about the functions of the Supreme Court and how it works. Her manner reminded me of my kindergarten teacher, who had a very calm, patient manner and a quiet dignity. This kind of composure was no doubt a factor in her reaching this level of achievement.

Then we had the opportunity to ask some questions. I asked her if she thinks that public concern over a case involving social issues can inflate the importance of the case. She said she thinks the media blows things out of proportion.

This is consistent with later interviews I've seen of her, where she insists that the Supreme Court operates on a sort of abstract level, ruling on matters of law, the facts of the case having already been determined by the lower courts.

We presented her with a Nittany Lion (the Penn State mascot). She said, "Oh, my gracious! Isn't that lovely!"

Before we left, one of the faculty members who was with us asked her about the ring she was wearing. She said it was turquoise from the mining town near the ranch where she grew up. "It's not good turquoise, but it's a piece of home," she said.

Whenever she's asked if she has any desire for another office, such as Chief Justice or maybe, in an alternate universe, the first woman president, Justice O'Connor brushes those ambitions aside. But as Douglas Adams said, the only person who should be allowed to wield a huge amount of power is someone who does not want to. Those who desire it too highly have already proven themselves unworthy.

Perhaps Chief Justice is in her future, perhaps not. I doubt a run for the presidency is. However, when America finally elects the first woman president, it will be someone like her. Someone with quiet dignity, someone who reminds us all a little bit of our favorite teachers. Someone with authority, grace and a benevolent equanimity.

Sorry, Hillary.

Copyright 1990-2003 by Alyce Wilson

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