The Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix presented the prestigious Anam Cara Award (Irish Soul Friend) to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (ret.) Justice O'Connor was recognized for her illustrious career, long-term service to the community and her family's Irish heritage.
 
The event was attended by 100 community leaders and the O'Connor Family. The O'Connor Family enjoyed reading Irish literature and viewing the O'Connor family genealogy at the McClelland Irish Library.
 
Justice O’Connor is renowned worldwide as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.  Appointed by Pres. Ronald Reagan in 1981, she served the nation’s highest court for 25 years.  Raised on a cattle ranch in Arizona, she resides in Phoenix.
 
The Irish Cultural Center, established in 1998, celebrates Irish culture, literature, music and history through the McClelland Irish Library and numerous events throughout the year.  The Center and Library are owned by the City of Phoenix and operated through a public-private partnership with the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation, Inc., a non-profit corporation.