Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court, passed away at 93, the court announced on Friday morning. O’Connor died due to complications related to advanced dementia. O’Connor’s groundbreaking career as a Supreme Court Justice inspired many women in the legal field. Over time, she became known as a moderate conservative and often the swing vote on hot-button social issues.

Chief Justice John Roberts described O’Connor as a “patriot” and a “fiercely independent defender of the rule of law, and an eloquent advocate for civics education.” She announced in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with the beginning stages of dementia, probably Alzheimer’s disease, but remained grateful for the blessings in her life.

O’Connor, born and raised on a ranch in Arizona, became a lawyer after graduating Stanford Law School, where she encountered discrimination because of her sex. She married a classmate, served as an Arizona state senator, and was a judge before her nomination to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

During her time on the bench, O’Connor was known for her pragmatism and was often the deciding vote on controversial cases. She penned several major opinions, including upholding the University of Michigan Law School’s affirmative action program in 2003.

After she retired from the Supreme Court, O’Connor became an advocate for Alzheimer’s disease and campaigned to encourage young people to learn civics. Her replacement, Justice Samuel Alito, significantly moved the court to the right on various issues. O’Connor’s death marks the passing of a trailblazer for women in law.