Washington (AP) - Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the high court, passed away on Friday at the age of 93, the Supreme Court announced. O'Connor, who made history when President Ronald Reagan nominated her in 1981, played a pivotal role in breaking the male exclusivity of the Supreme Court.

O'Connor's journey was marked by numerous obstacles, as she struggled to find employment in the legal field after graduating from law school in the 1950s. Her appointment to the Supreme Court in 1981 shattered a 190-year tradition and paved the way for three more women, bringing the total to four, to serve on the high court during her lifetime.

Recalling a momentous day in 2010 when she observed three female justices presiding over Supreme Court proceedings, O'Connor described it as "amazing." From being the only woman on the bench to witnessing a significant shift towards gender equality, she had achieved a great milestone in her own journey.

During her tenure on the Supreme Court, O'Connor's pragmatic approach to the law earned her considerable political influence. She held elected office as a state senator in Arizona before embarking on her judicial career, which placed her in a unique position to shape policy and legislation.

One testament to O'Connor's impact is the subsequent appointment of Justice Samuel Alito, whose more conservative outlook altered the outcomes of several key cases on abortion rights, school desegregation, and campaign finance. While O'Connor expressed discontent at the dismantling of some of her work, she committed herself to advocating for causes she believed in following her retirement in 2006.

O'Connor championed enhanced civics education for schoolchildren, the preservation of judicial independence, and increased research funding for Alzheimer's disease. Her husband, John, had succumbed to complications of Alzheimer's in 2009. Despite the court's shift towards conservatism with three of President Donald Trump's appointments, O'Connor continued her efforts until her dementia advanced and she withdrew from public life in recent years.

During her time on the Supreme Court, O'Connor witnessed significant legal decisions that questioned the precedent she had established. Last year, the court's majority, including Alito and Trump's appointees, brought an end to a woman's constitutional right to abortion, an issue O'Connor fought to preserve three decades earlier. Additionally, in June, the court overturned O'Connor's opinion on affirmative action in college admissions.

Throughout her career, O'Connor's influence and lasting impact were undeniable. Her contributions extended beyond her groundbreaking appointment, as she demonstrated a commitment to justice and a dedication to shaping a more inclusive society.

As the nation mourns the loss of a trailblazing figure, O'Connor's legacy will forever be intertwined with the journey towards equality and progress.