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Need to know ~ People
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2016
Photo: Supreme Court of the United States, Public Domain
Why current?
2020-10-27
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States*. Over the course of her 27 years on the Court, Ginsburg became known for her commitment to gender equality and to the civil rights of groups who face discrimination in our society. She was also admired for her life and work prior to joining the Supreme Court, during which she passionately and effectively challenged norms that stood in the way of equal rights for women and other groups.
Ginsburg (often referred to as “RBG”) died on September 18, 2020, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 87 years old. People all over the country and world mourned her passing, which they viewed as the loss of not only a beloved icon, but also of a clear and pragmatic voice for equality, on the country’s highest court.
RBG had a dying wish, namely, that her replacement be chosen by a new president. But, although the elections were less than two months away at the time of her death, President Trump and the Republican Party, currently in the majority in the Senate, disregarded this wish and instead moved quickly to fill RBG’s seat.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in on October 27, 2020 – the third Supreme Court justice nominated by Trump. A stark contrast to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barrett is known to have conservative views, particularly with respect to abortion, gun rights, and discrimination.
* To learn about the three branches of the United States government, click here.
“Women belong in all areas where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg
More about Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Born Joan Ruth Bader, on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York.
- Received her Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University.
- Went to Harvard Law School, one of eight females in a class of 500.
- Married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954, and had two children, Jane and James.
- RGB spoke lovingly about her husband of 56 years. Himself a lawyer, Martin agreed with Ruth’s belief that both women and men should be able to spread their wings and pursue whatever they wanted to in life, without the restrictions of artificial gender roles holding them back. RGB often talked about the fact that Martin did all the cooking for the family, which was unheard of for a married man at the time. He passed away in 2010.
- Despite receiving academic honors and high praise throughout her years as a student, RGB struggled to find a job after graduation because she was a woman.
- Ginsburg pushed through the barriers put before her. She became the first female tenured professor at Columbia University, founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), and was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia by President Carter in 1980.
- Was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Clinton in 1993, and was resoundingly confirmed by the Senate, 96-3.
- While on the Supreme Court, RGB became famous for her eloquent dissents. A dissent is an expression of disagreement with the majority opinion of the court. She made her voice heard, even – or especially – when she was NOT of the majority opinion.
- Was known for her ability to compromise with others on the Court. She was careful not to alienate people in her pursuit of what she thought was right, but instead strategically collaborated with them, while making step by step gains toward her bigger vision.
- Ginsburg’s strong voice on the Supreme Court became legendary. Particularly her dissents earned her the name, “The Notorious RBG.”
Sources: supremecourt.gov, “Biography of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographyGinsburg.aspx; harpercollins.com; “16 Things You Should Know About Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/harperkids/ruth-bader-ginsburg-facts; Kelley, Lauren, rollingstone.com; “How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became the Notorious RBG,” https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/how-ruth-bader-ginsburg-became-the-notorious-rbg-50388/, October 27, 2015; History.com Editors, history.com; “Ruth Bader Ginsburg,”https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/ruth-bader-ginsburg, Sept. 21, 2020; aclu.org, “Tribute: The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and WRP Staff,” https://www.aclu.org/other/tribute-legacy-ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-wrp-staff.