January 23, 2006 2:44 PM

Opt-out role model - Sandra Day O'Connor
Posted by Diane Danielsonat 2:44 PM

Who knew? Justice O'Connor was forced to opt out of the law profession when her babysitter quit. (No day care back in the 60's). Interesting editorial in the Globe today about O'Connor and "relaunching mothers."

What has gone almost unnoticed, however, is the five-year period that this high-achieving woman spent at home. Yes, Sandra Day O'Connor ''opted out" and was a stay-at-home mom. From 1960 to 1965, after the birth of her second son, she decided to leave her legal practice to be home full time. Essentially, she was forced to quit because her trusted baby sitter left. There were no day care centers in those days, and she could not find a competent replacement. Four years later, O'Connor's third son was born, and in 1965 she returned to work.