Facing Challenges, With Friends In High Places
When O'Connor returned to the United States from Germany, she split her time between raising her children and remaining politically active. During the early 1960s she volunteered for Barry Goldwater (seen here speaking with O'Connor in 1981). O'Connor's political career began to gain momentum in 1965, where she held a part-time position as an Assistant Attorney General in Arizona. In 1969, the state senator from her home district resigned, and Governor Jack Williams appointed her to fill the position, to which she was reelected twice in 1970 and 1972.

• Sandra Day O'Connor To Retire