Sandra Day O’Connor (1930–2023), first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court

Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mark Russell (1932–2023), comedian and political satirist 

Joseph Marcus Ruslander , better known by his stage name, Mark Russell , built a career on piano-driven political comedy that provided sharp commentary on current events. His bow tie became part of his signature look, and his long series of PBS specials solidified him as one of the notable satirists of his day.

Sarah Weddington (1945–2021), Roe v. Wade attorney

Sarah Weddington was an attorney and pro-choice activist who represented Norma McCorvey in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

Celina Baez Sotomayor (1927–2021), mother of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Celina Baez Sotomayor was a registered nurse who was the mother of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020), influential U.S. Supreme Court justice

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the second woman and the first Jewish woman appointed to the court in U.S. history.

Aimee Stephens (1960–2020) transgender activist in current Supreme Court case

Aimee Stephens was a transgender woman whose job discrimination case went to the Supreme Court in 2020.

John Paul Stevens (1920–2019), retired Supreme Court Justice

Stevens was the third-longest-serving justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Linda Brown (1943–2018), student in landmark Brown v. Board of Education case

The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down racial segregation in schools…

Joaquin Avila (1948–2018), prominent Hispanic civil rights lawyer

SEATTLE (AP) — Civil rights lawyer Joaquin Avila, who fought discrimination in classrooms, workplaces and voting booths as a leader of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, has died. He was 69.

Edith Windsor (1929–2017) same-sex marriage pioneer

NEW YORK (AP) — Edith Windsor, a widow who brought a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down parts of a federal anti-gay marriage law and paved a path toward legalizing same-sex nuptials nationwide, died Tuesday. She was 88.

Norma McCorvey (1947–2017), Roe v. Wade plaintiff

Plaintiff in the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion case.

Thurgood Marshall: 20 Facts

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was a giant of the civil rights movement, and his impressive achievements number in the dozens. Here are 20 things to know about about the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court.

The Legacy of Loving

In 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving did a daring thing: They got married. It's something that millions of people in the U.S. do every year, but for the Lovings, it wasn't as easy as setting a date and picking out rings. In their home state of Virginia, their love was a felony.

Antonin Scalia (1936–2016), Supreme Court justice

Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justice.