We mourn the passing of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court, but we also take the occasion to celebrate her professional life and career, and her impact, not only in the legal community and in the development of our law, but in the recognition of the professional ability of women and their status at the bar. When she graduated from law school in 1952, only 2% of the student body was female; it became 48% by the time she retired from the bench in 2006. As a pioneer, she became a role model to women who now achieve success and respect in all professions.