WASHINGTON – Sandra Day O. Connor, a former Supreme Court justice, the first woman to sit on the High Court, announced Tuesday that she was just starting out in what could be the disease of the day. Alzheimer's and retired from public life.

O 'Connor, 88, was the first Supreme Court candidate for President Ronald Reagan. She served from 1981 to 2006 and was a key deciding vote, often bridging the gap between conservative and liberal court judges.

Her retirement while she was still healthy at the age of 75 was rare for Supreme Court justices, but she did so to take care of her husband, John, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease at the time. He died in 2009 and has continued to raise awareness.

"Some time ago, doctors diagnosed me with the early stages of dementia, probably Alzheimer's disease," said O & # 39; Connor in a letter to "friends and compatriots American ".

"As this situation evolves, I am no longer able to participate in public life." Since many people have asked questions about my current status and activities, I want to be open about these issues. changes and, if I can still, share some personal reflections. "

O 'Connor said that she would continue to live in Phoenix, where she retired after serving on the field, surrounded by family and friends.

"While the last chapter of my life with dementia can be challenging, nothing has diminished my gratitude and my deep gratitude for the countless blessings in my life," she said.

"How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities offered to the citizens of our country.As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert I could never have imagined that one day I would be the first woman justice on the US Supreme Court ".

O & # 39; Connor was the key deciding vote – a role that was then assumed by Associate Judge Anthony Kennedy, who retired in July at the age of 81. He has since been replaced by Deputy Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a reliable 53 Conservative, who was confirmed earlier this month.

Along with Kennedy and former Deputy Judge David Souter, O Connor was a guiding force in the 1992 decision regarding Planned Parenthood v. Casey, who upheld the right to abortion while allowing certain restrictions imposed by the state.

O & # 39; Connor has been associated with five or four majorities of the courts in favor of regulating campaign financing and the limited use of affirmative action programs to increase the number of registered minorities in colleges and universities.

She also joined the 5-4 decision of the court that ruled the 2000 presidential election in favor of President George W. Bush. She then asked if the court should have intervened.

Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday described O Connor as "a dominant figure in the history of the United States and even the world".

"It has broken down the barriers preventing women in the legal profession from improving and improving the country as a whole," Roberts said in a statement. "It serves as a model not only for girls and women, but also for all those committed to equal justice before the law.

"Although she has announced that she is withdrawing from public life, no illness or condition can detract from the inspiration that she provides to those who will follow the many paths that she takes." she has drawn. "

In her open letter, O 'Connor reported her work since her retirement from the court to promote civic learning and engagement, primarily as part of a program she's been conducting. nicknamed iCivics, which offers online civics education to middle and high school students. She said that now affects half of the country's youth, but must reach them all.

In collaboration with the Annenberg Public Policy Center, home of FactCheck.org, iCivics recently developed its latest game, NewsFeed Defenders, which teaches students and adults how to detect fake news.

"Shortly after my retirement from the Supreme Court twelve years ago, I committed myself, my family and my country to use the years that I have left to promote learning. and civic engagement, "she said. "I am so attached to the subject because I have realized how important it is for all citizens to understand our Constitution and our unique system of government and to participate actively in the life of their communities."

"It is through this shared understanding of who we are that we can follow the approaches that have served us best over time – working collaboratively in communities and government to solve problems, put the country and the good shared above the party and self-interest and holding our key government institutions to account. "

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