By Chelle Chin-Erh Lee ‘If the law differentiates between people on the basis of sex, then how will women and men ever become equals?’—Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg, affectionately known as RBG, was more than just a Supreme Court Justice. She was a legal strategist, a champion for gender equality, and a cultural icon who shattered glass ceilings throughout her life. Born Joan Ruth Bader in Brooklyn, New York in 1933, Ginsburg's journey to becoming a judicial giant was paved with both personal hurdles and groundbreaking victories. Ruth’s early life instilled in her a strong sense of justice. Her mother, Celia Bader, valued education immensely, even sacrificing her own opportunities to ensure Ruth's success. This emphasis on learning fueled Ruth's academic achievements, graduating at the top of her class from James Madison High School and later Cornell University. However, even in the halls of academia, gender bias was prevalent. At Cornell, she faced limitations on participation in certain courses, a taste of the discrimination she would combat throughout her career. In 1954, Ruth and Martin Ginsburg got married after graduating from Cornell University. Ruth's legal aspirations took root at Harvard Law School, where she originally hoped to understand her husband, Martin better, since Martin was already a law student there. As one of only 9 women in a class of about 500 men. The dean of Harvard Law, Erwin Griswold, reportedly invited all the female law students to dinner at his home and asked the female law students, including Ruth, "Why are you at Harvard Law School, taking the place of a man?" Despite the discrimination against women receiving higher education at the time, Ruth had become the first female member of the Harvard Law Review. Later on, Ruth and Martin’s partnership became a true collaboration, juggling between childcare responsibilities and their legal careers. However, with Martin taking on a job in a law firm in New York City, Ruth transferred to Columbia Law School to be closer to him. In spite of the change, Ginsburg continued to excel, graduating at the top of her class at Columbia university. ( Martin and Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a young couple) However, societal norms of the time limited opportunities for women in law firms. Despite graduating at the top of her class, Ruth struggled to find employment. After innumerable rejections, Ruth finally managed to secure a position as a law clerk for a federal judge. Before long, Ruth entered academia at Rutgers University School of Law, becoming the first tenured female faculty member. This platform allowed her to argue cases before the Supreme Court, focusing on strategically chosen cases that exposed inherent sexism in existing laws. This incrementalist approach, carefully crafted arguments, and a focus on winning over even skeptical justices proved remarkably effective. In 1971, Ruth co-founded the Women's Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Through the ACLU, she argued six landmark cases before the Supreme Court, winning five. These victories, like Frontiero v. Richardson (1971) which struck down gender discrimination in military benefits, established her reputation as a formidable advocate for gender equality. By the 1980s, her legal brilliance and unwavering commitment to equality were widely recognized. President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980. 13 years later, President Bill Clinton nominated Ruth to the Supreme Court. Her confirmation in 1993 marked a historic moment—Ginsburg became the second woman, and the first Jewish woman, to serve on the nation's highest court. Justice Ginsburg's tenure on the Supreme Court was marked by her continued fight for equality. She authored influential opinions that struck down discriminatory laws in areas like education, employment, and healthcare. Her most famous decisions include United States v. Virginia (1996), which ended the all-male admissions policy at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), and Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007), a landmark case in establishing equal pay protection. However, Ginsburg's impact extended far beyond the courtroom. Her sharp dissents, delivered in a quiet but powerful voice, became a rallying cry for those seeking social justice. This, coupled with her unwavering dedication to her work and her feisty personality, made her a pop culture icon in her later years. The nickname "The Notorious RBG" emerged, a playful nickname after rapper The Notorious B.I.G., solidifying her status as a cultural phenomenon and an inspiration to young women.
Through Justice Ginsburg’s story, I’ve learned that we need to trust our own path, make our priorities relatable so that we can truly make a change in the community, speak up for ourselves with respect, collaborate with our support system in the process, and take action for our community. Last but not least, it’s you, not your challenges, that define who you are. a
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May 2024
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