In 1995, I had essentially the most memorable job of my life. I spent a yr clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, which meant that with three fellow clerks, I did writing, evaluate, and evaluation to assist the Justice in her work. It was a unprecedented privilege to serve, on this small approach, the operation of the Supreme Courtroom.
I keep in mind the primary day I met the Justice, for my interview—she was pleasant and straightforward to speak to, but had an unmistakable air of command. (I used to be startled to be taught that I ought to deal with her as “Justice,” as in “Thanks, Justice.” It appeared that each time we spoke to her, we invoked the Spirit of Justice, the advantage she was meant to uphold.)
In the course of the yr I served within the SO’C chambers, I noticed for myself her willpower, her openness to argument, her readability, her impatience, her humorousness.
After my clerkship ended, and even after I stop working as a lawyer to develop into a author in New York Metropolis, Justice O’Connor and I stored in contact.
In the future, the Justice referred to as to inform me about iCivics, her initiative to provide kids a powerful civics training. As we talked, I pictured her sitting in her chambers. With white marble, pediments, and Corinthian columns, the Supreme Courtroom constructing appears like a Roman temple, however—fairly incongruously, and along with her typical independence—Justice O’Connor’s chambers held woven blankets, baskets, and cowboy sculptures to remind guests of her beloved American Southwest.
We talked about her plans for iCivics, and why she believed it was so vital for kids to be taught to develop into engaged residents. Then she requested me what I used to be engaged on.
“I’m ending up my guide The Happiness Project,” I advised her. “It’s an account of a yr I spent test-driving theories about learn how to dwell a happier life—tackling areas like my vitality, friendship, household, work, mindfulness, service, gratitude. All that.”
She mentioned, “Nicely, I can let you know what I imagine is the key to a contented life.”
“What’s that, Justice?”
“Work value doing.”
“Fascinating,” I mentioned, noting that this three-word response was typical of the Justice’s model—decisive, pragmatic, and transient. “However isn’t it considerably…restricted?”
“No,” she mentioned firmly. “Work value doing. That’s all you actually need.”
“Hmmm,” I mentioned. “I’ll assume that over.”
For a very long time, I wasn’t certain I agreed along with her. What about relationships? Modern scientists and historical philosophers agree that relationships are a key to happiness. And wasn’t the deal with “work” too slim?
However now, with time and expertise, I acknowledge the knowledge of her reply. “Work” can imply various things to totally different folks, however it doesn’t matter what kind it takes, if we’re doing work value doing, we’re spending our time and vitality in a approach that displays our values.
Sandra Day O’Connor did work value doing. She devoted her life to the intention of excellent authorities: she served in all three branches; she was elected, appointed, and volunteered to serve in numerous roles; she promoted the rule of legislation and judicial independence; she confirmed that “a younger cowgirl from the Arizona desert” may make it to the Supreme Courtroom.
Justice O’Connor’s private qualities, in addition to her skilled qualities, helped her to succeed. She was analytical, robust, and sensible, and she or he additionally believed in having enjoyable at work. When she and her clerks got here in on weekends, she’d usually convey lunch for us all to share, we celebrated birthdays, we went fishing—I additionally attended her well-known morning aerobics class, with our “Justice By no means Rests” t-shirts.
Far more importantly, her private heat served the Courtroom. As a average conservative who usually held the important thing vote in high-profile, contentious selections, she was in a troublesome place, however her sturdy relationships with the opposite justices helped to carry the Courtroom collectively and steer its course.
In 2018, when she introduced her retirement from public life, she mirrored on her profession:
I’ve seen first-hand how very important it’s for all residents to grasp our Structure and distinctive system of presidency, and take part actively…working collaboratively…to unravel issues, placing nation and the widespread good above social gathering and self-interest, and holding our key governmental establishments accountable.
In a single paragraph, she summed up every little thing she’d striven to advertise. The Structure. Lively participation. Collaboration. Placing the widespread good above social gathering and self-interest. Accountability.
Work value doing! What a contented life Sandra Day O’Connor led. Maybe her dying will remind us to recommit ourselves to the good American beliefs she labored so onerous to advance.
