The Notorious RBG: A Legacy of Equality and Inspiration

Maggi Feit

"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

In the midst of chaos and partisanship, the nation faces yet another tragedy as we mourn the loss of Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In her 87 years, Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a crusader for women’s rights, leaving an unprecedented impact on law in the United States. Undeniably a force of nature, the Notorious RBG fought tirelessly to lead this country towards a path of equality as she worked to redefine social normalities, inspiring girls and women everywhere.

Though her passing brings forth a great deal of uncertainty and sadness, it also provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon Justice Ginsburg’s life. As we honor such a beloved figure, may we also remember all that she has done for men and women alike and how we may continue to preserve her legacy.

Brooklyn-born Ginsburg was greatly influenced by the selfless intent of her mother, Cecelia Bader. Ginsburg observed at an early age the sacrifices her mother made as a woman and the great ambitions she had for her daughter’s future. After falling victim to a battle against cancer, Ginsburg’s mother passed away just the day before her high school graduation. It was this fateful loss that instilled in her a determination to live a life in her mother’s honor - a life that her mother could not.

Thus, Ginsburg went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in government from Cornell University, finishing first in her class. It was there that she met her husband, Martin Ginsburg, and formed what she would later describe as an “equal partnership.” This relationship relates to the notion of equality amongst men and women in society - a fundamental idea that Ginsburg proceeds to dedicate herself to through her work and her actions.

Soon after the birth of their daughter, the couple enrolled in Harvard Law School, where Ginsburg was 1 of only 9 women in a class of over 500 men. Chided by the dean for filling seats that otherwise “belonged to men,” the treatment Ginsburg received as a woman in law school encouraged her feminist instincts. A hostile educational environment only coincided with an unfortunate diagnosis of cancer for her husband. Hence, in addition to maintaining her own studies as a law student, Ginsburg made sure to take notes for her husband, making it possible for him to graduate on time, all the while also raising their daughter.

Ginsburg persevered and excelled in her studies. She became the first female member of the prestigious legal journal, the Harvard Law Review, and then once again at Columbia Law School, where she returned to finish her studies to keep her family together. This remarkable accomplishment was unparalleled by any other student - male or female.

Despite her exceptional academic record, Ginsburg continued to face gender discrimination while seeking employment after graduation. It was a time in which opportunity was strictly defined by one’s gender - a time in which individuals were expected to fulfill a predetermined role. Ruth Bader Ginsburg proceeded to devote herself to transforming such a precedent to promote equality for both men and women in society. Thus, she launched her “radical project.”

Law professor, lawyer, and leader of the ACLU Women’s Rights Project, Ginsburg took on groundbreaking cases to build constitutional protections against sex discrimination. She felt that men and women could “create new traditions by their actions if artificial barriers are removed, and avenues of opportunity help open to them.”

During the 1970s, Ginsburg argued six landmark cases on gender equality before the U.S. Supreme Court, one of which regarded a portion of the Social Security Act that favored women over men. Furthermore, Ginsburg engaged a great deal with the issue of reproductive rights for women, highly esteemed for her criticism of Roe v. Wade. She rejected the conflation of a woman with motherhood, arguing instead for a woman’s individual rights and control over her own autonomy.

Strategic and brilliant, Justice Ginsburg slowly but surely chipped away at laws permitting gender discrimination. Her cases continue to serve as the foundation for the fight for equality under the law. Not only did she ensure equal opportunities for women, but she helped lay the groundwork for the legal recognition of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals.

As we grieve the passing of such a remarkable individual, we look to her in gratitude for all that she has done for us. Furthermore, we look towards the future and consider how we may continue her legacy on the path to equality, as women are still significantly underrepresented in the law, and are still paid less on average in comparison to their male counterparts.

It is important to remember that the fight for women requires support for all women. Oftentimes, we forget to consider the well-being of transgender women and women of color in our endeavor for gender equality.

Moreover, let us consider the lingering existence of implicit biases that hinder access to various opportunities for women and other minorities so that we may work to promote equality in education.

Just as Justice Ginsburg laid a foundation for us, it is our turn to help those who will come after our generation - for our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, and friends. We commemorate the Notorious RBG for all that she has done in the fight for justice and will continue to strive for equality in her honor.