What constitutional restrictions existed regarding the appointment of women to the Supreme Court before Sandra Day O'Connor?

The correct answer is that the Constitution did not restrict the appointment of women to the Supreme Court. Historically, the Constitution does not specify gender as a criterion for holding office, including judicial positions. Instead, it leaves the determination of qualifications for federal judges to the President and the Senate, who are responsible for nominations and confirmations.

Before Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court in 1981, there were no formal barriers established by the Constitution that would prevent women from being appointed. The lack of explicit prohibition indicates that women could theoretically be nominated, but societal norms and practices at the time often did not support their inclusion in such roles.

The other options imply restrictive conditions that are not grounded in the reality of the constitutional framework. The Constitution allows for broad interpretations regarding qualifications, emphasizing that gender does not inherently disqualify an individual from serving in the judiciary.