Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court Justice and feminist icon, passed away on September 18th, 2020 at the age of 87. Her death came as a shock to many and has left a void in the hearts of those who admired her for her unwavering dedication to justice and equality.
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1933, Ginsburg was raised by Jewish immigrant parents who instilled in her a strong work ethic and an appreciation for education. She attended Cornell University where she met her future husband Martin D. Ginsburg. After graduating from Cornell with honors, she married Martin and went on to attend Harvard Law School as one of only nine women in her class.
Despite facing discrimination throughout her career due to being a woman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became one of the most important legal figures of our time. Before becoming a Supreme Court Justice, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and served as its general counsel from 1973-1980. During this time, she argued numerous landmark cases before the Supreme Court that helped secure equal rights for women under law.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She was confirmed by Congress with bipartisan support and would go on to serve for over two decades until her death in September 2020. As a Justice on the high court, she authored countless opinions that advanced civil rights and gender equality while also advocating for voting rights and environmental protections.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be remembered not just as a legal trailblazer but also as an inspiration to millions around the world who looked up to her strength and resilience in fighting for what is right. In recent years especially, she became somewhat of a pop culture icon thanks largely to “Notorious RBG,” an internet meme that celebrated both her accomplishments and her fiery spirit.
Although she is no longer with us, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy will live on and continue to inspire future generations. In the words of former President Bill Clinton, “Her 27 years on the Court exceeded even my highest expectations when I appointed her. Her landmark opinions advancing gender equality, marriage equality, the rights of people with disabilities, the rights of immigrants, and so many more moved us closer to ‘a more perfect union.’”
Rest in power, Justice Ginsburg.