Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Trailblazing Jurist and Icon of Justice

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, affectionately known as "Notorious RBG," was an extraordinary jurist and a towering figure in the legal world. Her unwavering commitment to gender equality and her groundbreaking rulings on the Supreme Court have left an indelible mark on American law and society.

Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (Who Was?)

by Patricia Brennan Demuth

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	96914 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages

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Early Life and Education

Ruth Bader was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. She showed an early passion for learning and excelled in her studies. In 1956, she graduated first in her class from Cornell University Law School. However, her path to the legal profession was not without obstacles.

At a time when women were routinely discriminated against in academia and the workplace, Ginsburg faced numerous challenges. She was initially denied a clerkship on the grounds of her gender. Undeterred, she found a position as a law professor at Rutgers University. In 1972, she co-founded the Women's Rights Law Reporter, a groundbreaking journal that published scholarship on feminist legal issues.

Supreme Court Appointment and Legacy

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She served there for 13 years before being nominated to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Ginsburg's tenure on the Supreme Court was marked by her consistent advocacy for gender equality and her groundbreaking opinions. She authored numerous landmark decisions that struck down discriminatory laws and expanded the rights of women. Among her most notable opinions were:

• United States v. Virginia (1996): Invalidated the male-only admissions policy of the Virginia Military Institute.
• Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007): Expanded the time limit for workers to file pay discrimination lawsuits.
• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Personal Life and Legacy

Beyond her legal career, Ginsburg was a loving wife and mother. She was married to fellow law professor Martin Ginsburg for 56 years until his passing in 2010. Together, they raised two children.

Ginsburg became a cultural icon in her later years, inspiring countless young people with her unwavering spirit and dedication to justice. She was known for her sharp wit, fierce loyalty, and love of opera. Ginsburg passed away peacefully on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's legacy as a trailblazing jurist and champion of gender equality will continue to inspire generations to come. Her groundbreaking rulings and her indomitable spirit have made an immeasurable contribution to the legal profession and to American society as a whole.

How to Learn More

To delve deeper into the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, consider exploring the following resources:

• Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
• My Own Words, by Ruth Bader Ginsburg (autobiography)
• The Supreme Court Historical Society
• The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Documentary

By learning more about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we can honor her legacy and continue to strive for a more just and equitable society.

Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (Who Was?)

by Patricia Brennan Demuth

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	96914 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages

FREE