Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Has Passed Away
Legendary Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away in Washington D.C. with her family Friday night at the age of 87.
Nicknamed the “Notorious RBG” by her followers, Ginsburg was beloved by the American public and was particularly admired by young women. The court announced that she passed away due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Ginsburg was one of the three female supreme court justices and was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 as part of the liberal wing. In recent years, Justice Ginsburg voted on some of the most controversial subjects, including same-sex marriage, voting rights, abortion rights, immigration, and health care.
Although Ginsburg was tiny in stature, she had a large voice that she used to champion equal rights for all. She valiantly fought for justice, women, and freedom her entire life. After graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts and earning her law degree from Columbia Law School, she faced sexism as she could not find a clerkship due to her gender. Despite the obstacles she faced, Ginsburg rose to the occasion and made sure that her voice was heard.
Once Ginsburg was heard by the public, her followers began to realize just how powerful her language was. In a commencement speech in 2002, Ginsburg reflected on her early years as a lawyer and said, “I had the good fortune to be alive and a lawyer in the late 1960s when, for the first time in the history of the United States, it became possible to urge before courts, successfully, that society would benefit enormously if women were regarded as persons equal in stature to men.”
Ginsburg was also well known for her opinion that she penned in the United States v. Virginia case, which dealt with Virginia Military Institute’s policy of all-male admissions. In reference to this case, in 1996 she wrote, “The constitutional violation in this case is the categorical exclusion of women from an extraordinary educational opportunity afforded men.”
In addition to fighting for rights for all Americans, no matter what race, religion, or gender they identify with, Ginsburg also fought cancer not once, but five times. Ginsburg was such an inspirational champion of hard work and grit that several documentaries were made about her life, including the film RBG directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West in 2018.
Politicians, celebrities, and fans have been mourning Ginsburg’s loss on social media. Several former presidential candidates have taken to Twitter to express their grief.
Ruthie was my friend and I will miss her terribly. The t-shirts simply labeled “RBG” made her notorious. But it was her wit, her tenaciousness, and her skill as a jurist that made her an icon.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 19, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one of the great justices in modern American history and her passing is a tremendous loss to our country. She will be remembered as an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 19, 2020
Ginsburg inspired us all to fight against discrimination and push past any hurdles in our paths. She was a national treasure who left an enormous legacy behind. Ginsburg encouraged and inspired women all over the country to chase their dreams, despite naysayers. Thank you RBG for showing us what it means to truly serve others. Rest in power.
