PHOENIX, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by
the wishes of retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, founder of her namesake
nonprofit organization, the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute For
American Democracy has been announced. "Society, at all levels
has a need to work together to solve the many problems facing our
nation," Justice O'Connor has
stated. "We'd like to create an atmosphere again where there
is room for a civil debate and consensus-building."
The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute For American Democracy
reflects the organization's commitment to "civics for life" ~ its
belief in lifelong civics learning for all generations that
promotes the fundamentals and strength of our democracy. Civil
discourse, civic engagement and civics education are the primary
programmatic areas for the Institute, providing a spectrum for
multi-generational impact.
"Preserving our republic requires educating all Americans on the
structure and function of government together with the significance
of their roles as engaged citizens," noted Board Chair Matthew P. Feeney. "We take inspiration from our
founder, the 102nd member and first woman appointed to the United
States Supreme Court, one of the few members of the Court who
served in all three branches of government."
By building upon Justice
O'Connor's powerful legacy, the Sandra Day O'Connor
Institute For American Democracy is at the crossroads of a unique
and historic opportunity to establish a premier institute that will
embody all that Justice O'Connor
stood for and worked her entire life. Among programs now offered by
the Institute are the O'Connor U Civics Challenge for youth, Lab
102 for Millennials and Gen Z, and webcasts for adults such as the
Constitution Series: Equality And Justice For All.
Sarah Suggs, President and CEO of
the Institute, stated, "When our organization was founded following
Justice O'Connor's retirement from
the U.S. Supreme Court, our early focus was on domestic violence
and local civic engagement initiatives. More recently, COVID-19
prompted us to reflect on an earlier directive from Justice O'Connor that we should focus on the
advancement of American democracy. Thus, the evolution of our
mission is to now help guarantee that the never-ending work to
'form a more perfect union' will transpire in the name of an
American icon who strove so fiercely in that worthy project."
To learn more about the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute For
American Democracy, visit
www.oconnorinstitute.org/americandemocracy
Founded by Justice O'Connor
following her retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Sandra
Day O'Connor Institute For American Democracy, a nonprofit,
non-partisan 501(c)(3), continues her distinguished legacy and
lifetime work to advance American democracy through
multi-generational civics education, civil discourse and civic
engagement.
Media Contact: Heather Schader |
hschader@oconnorinstitute.org | 480-965-6968
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SOURCE Sandra Day O'Connor Institute For American Democracy