The Trustees' Council of Penn Women presented their highest tribute, the TCPW Beacon Award, to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor yesterday in a presentation for alumni and students in Huntsman Hall Auditorium.
O'Connor, who served as the first female member of the United States Supreme Court from 1981 to 2005, is the ninth recipient of the TCPW Beacon Award. The honor is given to any person or institution who has displayed leadership in furthering the advancement of women. Past recipients have included Senator Hillary Clinton and former Penn President Judith Rodin.
The crowd gave a standing ovation as University president Amy Gutmann introduced O'Connor, whom she called "a beacon of eminence and inspiration for all seasons."
Taking her place at the podium, O'Connor laughed as she responded, "I am quite enchanted with [Gutmann] even if she is given to gross exaggeration. The fact of the matter is that I am now just an unemployed cowgirl."
O'Connor thanked the TCPW for the honor and gave a short speech on her thoughts regarding the view Americans have of today's justice system.
"We are living in an age where judges and the courts are really under attack," she said.
She believes that the court's role in the balance of power between the three branches of government is in danger as a result. People need to be made aware of the important role judges play in the administration, she said.
"The key to maintaining our system lies in education," said O'Connor, "[This] is crucial to our future."
She called on all the individuals in attendance to do what they could to bring social studies and American government back into classrooms today.
"We are not meeting [today's] educational needs. We need to get busy on this," she said.
Students in attendance enjoyed the humor and character she brought to her speech and were pleased to have the opportunity to hear her speak.
"I thought she was phenomenal. She was so witty and she kept it real," College junior Joshua Roberts said.
College sophomore Rebecca Orel agreed. "She has incredible energy and presence. I was so impressed."
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