Rest in power, rbg

By Neeha Zaman, 2022

Published 10/10/20

Much of the American population let out a collective sob on Friday, September 18th, 2020. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, colloquially known as RBG, died from complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. At 87, Ginsburg was a pioneer. She fought for progress and equality while shattering glass ceilings for women everywhere.

Throughout her career, RBG was a warrior for gender equality; a champion of justice and equal rights. Prior to taking her place as only the second female Supreme Court Justice, she spent decades as a trailblazer in gender equality law. Despite a stellar academic record, which included graduating from Columbia Law School tied first in her class, she was unable to enter the private sector due to many law firms restricting their applicants to men only. This led her to get various opportunities in academia and government. Later in her career, she founded the ACLU´s Women´s Rights Project, which seeks to empower marginalized women who are subject to gender bias and unequal working conditions. She then began arguing landmark cases on discrimination before the Supreme Court, and was later appointed as a judge on the US Court of Appeals, for the DC circuit in 1980. Thirteen years later, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the Supreme Court, and RBG became the first Jewish woman to sit on the bench. During her tenure, she voted on many landmark cases, using her position to advocate for and advance equal rights across the U.S.

Following her death, vigils and demonstrations were held across the country. In DC, despondent Americans left things such as flowers and signs at the Supreme Court. One CHS student was actually able to witness this in person, and shared her experience. Ellie Rockoff, 2021, was in the area for college visits, and said ¨The eerie timing gave me a moral obligation to pay homage to a woman who dedicated her life’s work to the betterment of society. I would be guilt ridden if I had gotten the chance to do this, but passed it up.” She explained she was moved by the sheer number of people gathering, with masks, to honor RBG´s legacy, calling it ¨heartwarming¨ and ¨a breath of positivity.¨ The gathering was not somber as expected, but instead peaceful and happy, as they celebrated the legacy of such a consequential woman.

As Ginsburg was dying, she told her granddaughter, ¨My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.¨ Her dedication to her job and loyalty to service was incredible. Despite some calls for her retirement while President Obama was still in office, so that a younger liberal-minded justice could be nominated, she remained on the bench. Why, she thought, should she retire when her mind was still sharp? RBG had made a name for herself as someone who refused to be limited by what others said she could or couldn’t do, and her choosing to remain on the court was an extension of this. Even as her health declined, fighting multiple bouts of cancer over two decades, she was determined to remain on as an Associate Justice. She believed that it would be better for the country if she stayed alive for the entirety of President Trump’s tenure, and did her best to remain alive and well.

While RBG certainly was not perfect, her many accomplishments overall led to the betterment of so many lives. Americans have her to thank for things we take for granted, whether you identify as male or female. Rest in power, RBG. Thank you for everything. Now we fight to make sure her “most fervent wish” is honored.