Presented by the Ladies of the Court, the annual Legacy Luncheon honors the life and work of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
Save the Date: 2026 Luncheon
Presenting Sponsors: Western Alliance Bank
Friday, April 24, 2026
11:00 AM | Registration and Reception
12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM | Luncheon and Program
Arizona Biltmore Resort
2400 East Missouri Ave | Phoenix
Remember the First Ladies
Featuring Author Anita McBride
Anita McBride
Anita McBride is an internationally recognized expert on First Ladies Legacies and White House History. McBride serves as executive-in-residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American-University. She has two decades of experience serving in senior roles under Presidents Reagan, George HW Bush and George W Bush. Additionally, she served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. McBride is one of the longest-tenured women in White House history.
Luncheon Co-Chairs:
JILL KRIGSTEN & DEEDEE VECCHIONE
Presented by:
The Legacy Luncheon benefits the educational programs of the O'Connor Institute.
Ladies of the Court
Women's Board of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute
Trisha Anthony
*Gena Bonsall
Cathy Dickey
Anne Marie Dobbs
Jacquie Dorrance
Harriet Friedland
Ursula Gangadean
Sandy Getz
Dyan Getz
Alexis Glascock
Mary Ellen Gould
*Penny Gunning
Martha Hunter-Henderson
Jane Jozoff
Margot Knight
Jill Krigsten
Jan Lewis
Sandy Magruder
Ina Manaster
Cathy McConnell
Kolby Moffatt
Karen Morrisey
Susan Palmer-Hunter
Kathy Petsas
Becky Pierson
Kate Porter
Sue Selig
Wendy Selig-Prieb
Susie Small
Natalie Vandeventer
DeeDee Vecchione
Meredith von Arentschildt
Beth Warne
Suzanne Weis Dickey
Gay Wray
*Ladies of the Court Founders
Previous Legacy Luncheons
The Annual Legacy Luncheon, presented by the Ladies of the Court, honors the life and work of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. The Institute invites you to explore past events in the photo galleries below.
In David Monn’s The Art of Celebrating, he invited attendees behind the scenes to thirty-six fabulous events that he had conceived, designed, and orchestrated, and he showed guests how he put his ideas to work.
Dr. Hartig spoke about the book, Smithsonian American Women. Ambassador Barbara Barrett (a Smithsonian regent) conducted a “Fireside Chat” interview with Dr. Hartig, discussing many of the Smithsonians artifacts.
Ms. Dowling’s stunning presentation provided the audience an inside glimpse of historic White House china, first ladies’ floral preferences as well as the legendary White House Christmas decor and state dinners, among other important events.
USA Today political editor Susan Page, author of The Matriarch, the biography of Barbara Bush entertained attendees as keynote speaker along with Barbara Pierce Bush, the granddaughter and namesake of the late memorable First Lady.
Following the success of Laura Bush event, the Ladies of the Court were pleased to welcome former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Dr. Biden spoke of her book Where the Light Enters, Building a Family, Discovering Myself.
Mrs. Laura Bush, Former First Lady of the United States, was the featured speaker at the inaugural Legacy Luncheon, Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Mrs. Bush reflected on her life and discussed her memoir, # 1 New York Times best seller, Spoken from the Heart.
In David Monn’s The Art of Celebrating, he invited attendees behind the scenes to thirty-six fabulous events that he had conceived, designed, and orchestrated, and he showed guests how he put his ideas to work.