Sandra Day O'Connor 1992 Arizona Historymaker

 Honored in the first group of Arizona Historymakers in 1992, SDO has been an inspiration to us all.

On October 23, 2018, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from public life. This was not an easy step for an active public servant, but the diagnosis of dementia, likely Alzheimer's, led to the final quiet chapters of her amazing life.

In a letter to the public, she shared:

"While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life. How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

I hope that I have inspired young people about civic engagement and helped pave the pathway for women who may have faced obstacles pursuing their careers. My greatest thanks to our nation, to my family, to my former colleagues, and to all the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to engage with over the years."

You can learn more about her amazing life, work, and her lasting legacy at OConnorInstitute.org.

Alfredo Gutierrez 2019 Historymaker remembers Justice Sandra Day O'Connor 1992 Historymaker

 Always the diplomat Alfredo Gutierrez, former Arizona state senator and 2019 Arizona Historymaker wrote this Letter to the Editor about Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Arizona Republic Newspaper. December 10, 2023.

"She was the first woman to serve as majority leader of the state Senate. I sat immediately behind her on the Senate floor. We became friends in that term.

We often disagreed on policy, but nonetheless she taught this freshman 25-year-old senator the arcane ways of the Legislature. I would succeed her as majority leader.

She was precise and indefatigable; her husband John, like her was brilliant, but unlike her was a social beacon with an extraordinary sense of humor.

Together they were a power to behold in Arizona and soon they became a power in Washington.

That overused phrase, 'the passing of an era,' is true today. A powerful Republican mentoring a Democratic progressive fireball with whom in policy there was disagreement but humanity and decency nonetheless overwhelmed partisan politics?

Not now, not today. And that forebodes nothing good for this country."

Alfredo Gutierrez, former Arizona state senator

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (1930-2023) Arizona Historymaker in 1992

 With sadness but also joy, we remember Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-2023) for the many remarkable contributions she made to Arizona and our Nation. Honored in 1992 as an Arizona Historymaker™, her biography, oral history transcript, candid pictures, video and formal portrait are available at https://www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/sandra-day-oconnor

In her last public remarks, she said: "If we want our democracy to thrive, we must commit to educating our youth about civics" and helping them "understand their crucial role as informed, active citizens in their communities."

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor featured in FrontDoor Magazine Feb 2022

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was honored as an Arizona Historymaker by the Historical League in 1992. Her story continues to impress, educate and amaze people.

Frontdoors Magazine features her in February 2022 issue. Many of these photos are found at the AZ Heritage Center.

Her adobe home was moved brick by brick to the property at AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park. An extensive biography, photos and oral history at www.HistoricalLeague.org/historymaker

Interesting customers at Special Events

Ruth McLeod with Sara Homan

Working at shows, we meet a lot of lovely people. While in our booth on March 8 at the Litchfield Park Fine Art and Food Festival, Sara Homan from Litchfield Park Historical Society stopped in to visit. Her booth was right next to ours. She was born and raised in Arizona so at age 86, she has lots of memories.

While browsing through Volume II, she saw Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s story and recipe. She remembered chatting with Sandra Day O'Connor at the neighborhood park when they were both young mothers, pushing their children on the swings.

Judy Fulton from Litchfield Park Historical Society commented she “had to have this book since it has Fattigman “Poor Man’s Cookies" that her grandmother used to make!! She was so excited to finally get the recipe! Thanks to Linda Corderman for sharing this recipe and the story of her family traditions.

with Judy Fulton

It is important to remember that you never know who you met, who you talked with, who may contact us down the road to buy books, visit the museum, join the Historical League, contribute to National History Day or more. 

Historymaker Sandra Day O'Connor

Honored as a Historymaker in 1992, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor continues to inspire people.
New honorees for Historymakers 2019 will be inducted Feb 23, 2019 during the Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program at Arizona Biltmore Resort.

Tastes & Treasures featured in Edible Phoenix magazine

Tastes & Treasures II is featured in the latest Edible Phoenix issue. Magazine available at select stores and markets. Book available at www.HistoricalLeague.org/SHOP.aspx

Supreme Court Cookbook

Cookbooks are very popular but combined with history, they become much more interesting. Thanks to Historical League member Norma Hinton for sharing this article about Table for 9: Supreme Court Food Traditions and Recipes. From The Daily Journal, S.F. Peninsula Weekend Journal 12/22/2017.
In fact, Tastes & Treasures II also has Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's beef jerky recipe. You don't have to go to Washington D.C. to get it.
Available at www.HistoricalLeague.org/SHOP.aspx

Alan Day, author of new book Cowboy Up

As part of the monthly Historical League meetings we often have guest speakers. Hearing the personal stories from Alan Day as he talked about his new book, Cowboy Up, on October 2 was most informative and entertaining. Alan grew up on the Lazy B and has been a rancher his entire life. After graduating from University of Arizona, he went straight back to the ranch and never left! Forty-five years later, he is sharing his life work in this new book and it is fascinating.

When his grandfather, H.C. Day started the ranch in 1880, it was part of New Mexico and Arizona Territories. It grew to 200,000 acres. The 5,000 head of cattle were originally from Chihuahua, Mexico and had the Lazy B brand. The name stayed.

H.C. Day and his wife, Alice, had many firsts in the area: the first brick house, the first bank, the first orchard, the first schoolhouse.

Cowboy Up, co-written with Lynn Weiss Sneyd, is filled with short stories of those times. Alan gave us the premier showing of his video of the ranch and his family. It has wonderful photographs and memories of his grandparents, his parents, and sister, Historymaker and former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Foremost in his talk, Alan shared his love of the land, the grasses and the importance of stewardship to the ranch.

H.C. and Alice Day

Sandra Day O'Connor and Alan Day

Water is the life blood of the ranch. Each cow needs 60 acres to graze.

Lazy B Ranch

Navajo artwork made for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Walking into the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, you never know what wonderful history will be displayed in the lobby.
Created for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor when she was a judge in Arizona, this skirt is decorated with Navajo Yei figures. Eddie Basha's aunt made it. Eddie was named a Historymaker in 2001. He was well known for the Basha Supermarkets through Arizona, his devotion to education and his collection of modern Native American art.

March Tour of Sandra Day O'Connor house and Rose Eisendrath house

Join us on a visit of the Sandra Day O'Connor house and the Rose Eisendrath house on March 10. Meet at the AZ Heritage Center at 9:30 am for a guided tour by former Tempe mayor Hugh Hallman. Lunch after the tour catered by The Dancing Chef. $25 for members. $35 for non-members. Contact Claire Nullmeyer for details.

Historymakers attend Unveiling of 2014 Historymakers Wall

2014 Historymakers who attended our “History in the Making” event were Jim Bruner, Lattie Coor, Maxine Lakin and Marshall Trimble. Governor Castro was represented by James Garcia.
Three Historymakers from prior years also attended the event: Sandra Day O’Connor, Calvin C. Goode and Bill Shover.
After being introduced Justice O’Connor remarked, “I love this Museum.”

L to R     Honorable Calvin C. Goode, Marshall Trimble, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Jim Bruner, Lattie Coor,
Maxine Lakin, Bill Shover

History in the Making Oct 22 at the Museum

 Event Chair Anne Lupica with Andrea Evans

Check in table with Tom Lorig

Beautiful skies over the courtyard at AHS Museum set the mood for a fabulous "Unveiling of the 2014 Historymakers Exhibit."  Anne Lupica organized a memorable event with dignitaries, speeches, food and drink. We were pleased to have many 2014 Historymakers in attendance along with previous Historymakers.
A big thank you to SRP for their sponsorship.

Historymakers L to R    Calvin C. Goode, Marshall Trimble, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Jim Bruner, Lattie Coor,
Maxine Lakin, Bill Shover

Sandra Day O'Connor Award

This Lorna Lockwood Traveling trophy was given to Sandra Day O'Connor. Several female judges received it prior to Justice O'Connor but it was decided that the award would retire with her. She generously donated it to the AHS Museum where it is on display in Historymakers Hall.

Zona Lorig worked on creating accurate signage for all the artifacts in the exhibit including Ben Avery's hiking boots and a 1937 Arizona State Teacher's College signed football from Bill Kajikawa.  

Women's Hall of Fame Induction at AHS

The AHS Museum was a wonderful venue to feature this group of very accomplished and important woman of Arizona on Thursday, March 12. The Steele Auditorium was packed as we honored eight women. They join 91 others who have changed Arizona and national history.

Cactus Pine Girl Scouts Troops 1715 and 1874 greeted guests and handed out programs. Their Color Guard did a professional job of presenting the flags and started the ceremonies.

Inductees were
Marietta Bryant (1911-2003) and Daisy Moore (1908-1985)
Lorraine W. Frank (1923-2005)
Louise Foucar Marshall (1864-1956)
Helen K. Mason (1912-2003)
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Elisabeth F. Ruffler
Lucy Sikorsky (1889-1972)

Pictoral quilts adorned the walls with photos of the Inductees. This year is the first time for the Living Legacy Inductions which includes living women. They are Sandra Day O'Connor and Elisabeth Ruffner whom the Historical League has all ready honored as Historymakers.

Many family members and friends were in the audience to support the inductees. 

Historical League Speaker, Author Alan Day at AHS Museum

AHS lobby showcasing Alan Day's father
cowboy hat and Jim Brister's rope

This featured speaking engagement at AHS Museum had a sell out crowd including Alan's sister Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, his son Alan Day Jr. and many more family members. Read what co-authors Alan Day and Lynn Weise Sneyd said about the morning in their Thank You letter.

What a fabulous event!   Alan has done over 45 events since The Horse Lover launched and I’ve joined him on about half of those. We agreed yesterday’s gathering ranks high on our list of favorites. Plus, it is the only event where we sold every book we bought. You have a wonderful group of individuals and a lovely facility. I particularly enjoyed seeing the display that included Alan’s father’s cowboy hat and Jim Brister’s rope.
Please let your board know that Alan and I were honored to be presenters and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Warm regards,
Lynn Wiese Sneyd

Author Alan Day guest speaker

Alan Day and Lynn Weise Sneyd

Nobody can talk about horses better than a cowboy and Alan Day knows his horses. The AHS Museum lobby was packed to hear the stories from his new book, The Horse Lover, co-authored with Lynn Weise Sneyd.

League members and guests enjoyed the presentation on October 27.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor attended to hear her brother Alan's talk.

Carolyn Hartman organized the event

Sandra Day O'Connor H.S. history teachers receive Centennial book

 Susan Hubbs, Zona Lorig, Suzanne Wooton

History teachers Susan Hubbs and Suzanne Wooton from Sandra Day O'Connor High School were very happy to receive complimentary copies of Arizona Recollections and Reflections: An Arizona Centennial Historymakers Commemoration for their classes. They attended ACHE convention and spoke enthusiastically with Historical League member Zona Lorig about the many ways students can use the book.  Thanks to our generous sponsors for allowing us to proceed with this program and get the human side of Arizona Historymakers into the classroom. Students learn through biographies, family photos and oral histories. Historical League members Ruth McLeod and Carolyn Mendoza worked with Zona to explain to teachers the research, artifacts, oral histories,photos, formal portraits, etc. that comprise the Historymakers Program.

The Historical League plans on having all the Historymakers complete oral histories and long biographies on www.HistoricalLeague.org/historymakers.htm.

History teachers love AZ Recollections and Reflections book

Book donated by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in Memory of Historymaker Eddie Basha

Zona Lorig, Carolyn Mendoza and Ruth McLeod distributed 40 donated AZ Recollections & Reflections: An Arizona Centennial Historymakers Commemoration books at a History teachers convention Saturday, Sept 7. It was so gratifying to see how appreciative the teachers were. They were all ready thinking up lesson plans based on the book and ideas for research for students!

Often times, I think the Historymakers program is great but ends with the exhibits at the museum. Now I realize that with this book and online biographies and oral histories, we are reaching a much larger audience - students and teachers (elementary through university), historians, researchers, family historians .  .  . It is such a POSITIVE experience. Hurrah for Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program!