Appreciation

Ginsburg’s legacy is her long fight for gender equality

The U.S. Supreme Court building. (YJI photo)

Spring, Texas, U.S.A. – Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an icon in gender equality and in the legal field, died Friday at 87.

A tireless feminist and champion of justice, Ginsburg became only the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court after President Bill Clinton nominated her in 1993. The U.S. Senate approved her 96-3.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (U.S. Supreme Court)

Ginsburg, who died at 87 in Washington, D.C. from complications of pancreatic cancer, had also battled colon cancer.

As the eldest judge serving on the Supreme Court bench and the leader of the court’s liberal wing, Ginsburg embodied a lifetime of courage advocating for social issues, including voting rights and women’s rights.

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you,” Ginsburg once said.

She is known for speaking for change and equality in America and for striving for excellence in her education and law career.

In 2018, two movies celebrated her life and legacy: the documentary RBG and the 2018 feature film and bio pic On the Basis of Sex, which stars Felicity Jones as Ginsburg.

Ginsburg grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Her father was a Jewish immigrant from what is now Ukraine. Her mother, who was from New York City, died just before Ginsburg’s high school graduation.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then attended Harvard Law School before transferring to and getting her degree from Columbia Law School.

She won many awards in her long career. In 2002, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and this week, the National Constitution Center awarded her its Liberty Medal.

The Supreme Court said there would be a private funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

Journalist Irin Carmon, who wrote a biography of Ginsburg called “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” asked the justice in a 2015 interview what she would like to be remembered for.

“Someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability,” Ginsburg answered. “And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little better.”

As our country mourns Ginsburg, we will remember her lasting legacy as a pioneer for bold change and advocacy for women in America and around the world.

Katrina Machetta is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.

Read more tributes to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from YJI students:

New York vigil honors Ginsburg’s memory

Justice Ginsburg helped shape my life

RBG, an inspiration to many

 

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