Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (March 15, 1933 – Sept 18, 2020) was an advocate for women’s rights and equality for all. Throughout her life, she faced gender discrimination and numerous obstacles. These held her back from pursuing the successful law career she worked so hard for, upon graduation. Ultimately, however, these setbacks placed her on a new path to become one of the most influential and inspirational women in modern history often known simply as RBG.

Ruth’s Early Years

Joan Ruth Bader was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to hard working Jewish immigrants. She was a small, shy and very polite young lady. Her mother, Celia, had a great influence on her life teaching young Ruth to be independent and always care for others with less. Her birthdays were spent celebrating with children who lived in orphanages, bringing treats and smiles to their faces. Even at  young age, Ruth wanted to change the world.

In school, Ruth was always near the top of her class. She inherited her mothers brilliance and love of books. Celia believed her daughter should have equal access to education and attend college. A college education was something Celia was unable to achieve because her brother attended, instead. Ruth worked hard in school to make her mother proud but always found the time to read Nancy Drew, play the cello and edit the school newspaper. Sadly, Ruth’s mother passed away from cancer the day before her high school graduation ceremony. Later they found an envelope of money she left for Ruth’s college. Somehow, Celia had saved over $8,000 for her daughter to attend Cornell University (cue the goosebumps!).

College & Law School

At Cornell, Ruth was one of the smartest in her class. It was during this time she was inspired to become a lawyer. She also met the supportive, love of her life, Marty Ginsburg. They married after her graduation where she finished number one among the female students. Law school, however, was put on hold since Marty was called upon to serve two years at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Ruth faced many hurdles and blatant sexism during this time. For example, she was demoted, and her pay reduced, when her boss found out she was pregnant.

When it came time for law school, Ruth was 1 of 9 women (in a class of 500). She was even asked by the Dean of Harvard why she wanted to go to law school and take up space that a man could have. At school, there wasn’t even a restroom for the women! On top of law school, she juggled family and home life, equally, with Marty. When he became sick with cancer, she did it all without hesitation. This included typing up his school notes and papers so he could graduate on time once he won his battle with cancer. What. a. woman!

When Marty graduated from Harvard he was immediately given a position in New York City. Since Ruth had 1 year of school left, she transferred to Colombia and tied for number 1 in the class upon graduation. For Ruth, however, there were no job offers, only over 40 rejections. As a woman, and mother, no one would hire her. Eventually, she became a teacher of law, one of few women University professors at the time. The caveat? She was informed up front her pay would be less than a man. MeN hAd FaMiLiEs To SuPpOrT aFtEr AlL.

Changing Times

As the years went by, times were changing. The voices of women were growing louder and Ruth’s law class saw more and more female students. Now in the 70’s, what the country needed were laws to protect women in the workplace. With Ruth’s degree as a Constitutional Lawyer and a lifetime of being fed up with discrimination against women, she was just the right person for the job.

Ruth spent many years as a volunteer lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) defending clients in court, for free, while still working as a professor. She won her first case defending her fellow female professor’s. They demanded equal pay to men. They won. Ruth continued to defend the rights of US citizens winning other cases such as women receiving equal benefits in the military and men receiving the same benefits as women when they are the primary caretakers (as it was assumed all caretakers were women, there were no laws protecting men in this position). Ruth was a force to be reckoned with. This garnered her much attention and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter made Ruth a federal judge on the circuit court. 13 years later President Bill Clinton nominated her for the Supreme Court where she served, as the first Jewish women, the remainder of her life.

Ruth’s Legacy

Ruth’s impact will be felt for generations to come. Among her many accomplishments, honorary awards and accolades, is every door she opened and glass ceiling she broke through. She used her wisdom, patience and words to fight for gender equality, minority rights, environmental issues and more. She was never afraid to speak out, even when the majority was against her, and she never lashed out in anger, even when disagreements arose.

Ruth became a pop icon in modern culture with a song and film written about her. She enjoyed a wonderful life with Marty raising their kids, spending time with grandchildren who affectionately called her Bubbie, traveling and listening to classical music and opera.

Some of her most notable accomplishments she spearheaded as a lawyer, participated in the majority as 1 of 9 US Supreme Court members, dissented against as a US Supreme Court member or inspired include:

• Reed v. Reed
• Frontiero v. Richardson
• Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld
• United States v. Virginia
• Ledbetter v. Goodyear
• The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
• Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt
• Olmstead v. L.C.