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When retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was a young girl living on an Arizona cattle ranch, she never thought a woman would be considered for president in her lifetime.

Tuesday at Miami University's Millett Hall, the nation's first female supreme court justice told students it is possible for women to hold all forms of public office. O'Connor recounted Supreme Court decisions that made it possible for her ascent to the highest court in the land.

The former justice gave Miami University students a classroom-style lecture discussing breakthrough high court decisions involving gender and racial equality like the 1954 decision Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed racial segregation in public school facilities.

She also touched on the Supreme Court cases, such as Bradwell v. Illinois, which banned women from practicing law in 1873.

"The view that women were not cut out for public life enjoyed an embarrassingly long shelf life in the United States," O'Connor said.

During the lecture, O'Connor told students her rise from Stanford Law school, where she graduated third in her class, to U.S. Supreme Court justice was a turbulent flight at times. While many of her fellow students entered private law practices, O'Connor was ignored. She said participating in the public realm was the only way to launch her career.

While O'Connor touted

the Supreme Court's decisions regarding race and gender

equality, she avoided giving her opinions on certain issues during the question and answer portion of the lecture. O'Connor fielded audience questions ranging from gay marriage to affirmative action.

• On Michigan voters' decision to bar affirmative action from public institutions: "... It is entirely within the right and privilege of voters ..."

• On gay marriage and civil unions: "That's not a question I'm going to tackle. I don't think this is a forum for it. I assume in some form it may come to the Supreme Court, but I'm not going to speak out on it at this point."

• Is a liberal Supreme Court necessary to be progressive in society: "No I think you just want a good Supreme Court, whatever it is. Maybe nine people with a little sense."

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or jgiordano@coxohio.com.