Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (popularly known as RBG), left for heavenly abode on Sept 18, 2020. Her sudden demise has passed a grief wave nationwide. She stood tall against women’s right’s barriers, sex discrimination cases, gender equality, voting rights, abortion, and served a firm second female justice position in the Supreme court.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s educational journey
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG took an academic degree from Columbia Law School, moving on to emerge as a staunch advocate against the unfair treatment of women and collaborated with ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project. Later on, she was chosen by President Jimmy Crater to the U.S Court of Appeals in 1980. After a decade she was appointed to serve in the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton, in 1993. This was a life-altering for her and upcoming betterments by her.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s quest from childhood to Harvard university
RBG was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 15, 1933. She belonged to a low-income family but the teachings of her mother were priceless. Her mother was the sole influencer of Independent thoughts and the importance of education in her mind. She married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954. After the birth of her first child, she enrolled at Harvard University. This started her career as a lawmaker and also polished her role as a mother. Being one of the 8 females out of the 500+ males hinted her about male dominance and aggressive surroundings. She excelled academically, making her the first female member of the esteemed Harvard Law Review.
The evolution from an advocate to a Supreme Court Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg walked into Supreme Court in 1993, as a replacement to Justice Byron White, by President Clinton. He expected a member who was intelligent enough to handle political issues responsibly. She was criticized by Senate Judiciary Committee during her maiden speeches. But later on, Senate 96-3 confirmed her transition from advocate to Supreme Court Justice.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has left a legacy of milestones, depicting a few here:
- She became the second female law professor at Rutgers and claimed equal pay
Ginsburg faced discrimination at Rutgers when she expressed herself as a Jewish woman. She said “I was Jewish, a woman, and a mother. The first raised one eyebrow, the second, two, and the third made me indubitably inadmissible.” On the contrary, she faced less pay issues. After questioning the same, the dean replied “Ruth he has a wife and two children to support, You have a husband with a good-paying job in New York.” The same year Ginsburg and other female lawyers filed an Equal Pay Act complaint and eventually won. - Co-founded first law journal on women rights
The students at Rutgers inclined her towards writing. She found her interests rising towards women’s rights more than before. Ginsburg co-founded the first law journal with Elizabeth Langer. The topic was Women’s Rights Law Reporter. She assigned herself to writing, counseling, and attending conferences. The journal on women’s rights is published even today at Rutgers Law School. - Co-creator of Women’s right project at ACLU
ACLU(American Civil liberties union) was a march towards sex discrimination and women equality. The law thrashed inequality to secure women’s equality in the workplace and everywhere. ACLU today protects immigrants, gay rights, internet users across the United States. - She fought for same-sex marriage
Ginsburg worked hard upon sex discrimination. The next stereotype she dissolved was same-sex marriage. In 2013, Supreme Court opposed two laws restricting same-sex marriage, RBG came up with a law to support it, an d executed the same at the wedding of Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser to economist John Roberts. The law was announced legal in 2015 by the federal community. - Her popularity amid a pop culture
She inspired millions of youngsters regarding justice, women empowerment, fair rights, and mainly justice. Not only this she was the talk of the town for her trademark glasses, hair bun and stylish lace collared jabots. She was complemented by rapper “Notorious BIG” who resembles her badge name RBG. She has inspired books, films, and Halloween costumes for youngsters. - Before Ginsburg, state-funded schools didn’t accept women admission
In 1996, Ginsburg stated the addition of the capable and intellectual women to the school will only embrace the perfect union. Speaking on U.S V Virginia case, she was clear that state-funded educational institutes cannot exclude women admission on account of their gender. - Women signed freely on the mortgage and held a bank account without a male co- signer
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, passed in 1974 cleared ways for women to apply for credit cards, mortgages and to have their own bank account. Ginsburg believed in being a self-dependent woman. - She went on to protect pregnant women at the workplace
In 1972, the case of Struck V Secretary of Defense stated a pregnant air force female was excluded from her work. She stated the law resided 50 years ago. As she herself hid her pregnancy while teaching at a law school. This didn’t change her capabilities to teach. This helped many pregnant women to be fired when they were pregnant.
Last but not the least
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG is hard to sum up. As a lawyer, she argued 6 Supreme court cases initially and won 5 of them. Her presence was enough in the court, She was the pillar any women or any person could lean on facing injustice. She was a champion, a living magnum opus. She curbed gender inequality, sex discrimination till her last pulse. She penned down 483 opinions and dissents in her tenure. She also fought for the rights of the LGBT community, disabled and undocumented people. She wanted to expand voting rights. Even in her last stages of metastatic pancreas cancer, she was working hard on abortion rights.
Her last wish
She dictated to her granddaughter Clara Spera, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”
Commemoration ceremony
Her coffin was placed on the Lincoln catafalque, constructed for Abraham Lincoln. She will be the first woman in history to lie in state in the U.S capitol. Lying in the state capitol is a tribute only for the most handpicked government officials.
Her human body has perished, but her voice, her work is penetrated deep and will echo after her. She is going to be alive, present, invisibly there. Forever Fighting.
“The tireless and resolute champion of justice – Ruth Bader Ginsburg” lays down with special honors in the scent of her favorite flowers- hydrangea, freesia, and white tea roses.
She is, She is, She is
She may rest, but the difference has made will echo in the voices of lawyers of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and more. She is alive in her work and justice.
Thank you, Your Highness!
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