Ruth Bader Ginsburg

RBG becomes a Supreme Court Justicehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photograph_of_President_William_J._Clinton_Attending_the_Swearing-In_of_Judge_Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg_as_Associate_Supreme_Court_Justice.jpg“Real change, enduring change happens one step at a time” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg). “One step at a time,” that is exactly what Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg did. She slowly made changes to society and reshaped the country for the better. RBG is a well-known figure and many consider her to be a hero. A hero’s journey, an idea of Joseph Campbell, describes the twelve stages of what a hero’s journey looks like. It shows that every hero faces challenges and setbacks, but every hero also has their accomplishments. But not every hero’s story lives on to teach and inspire us. RBG’s life story is one of those stories that serve as an example of success despite hurdles, a story that still matters today. Born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, RBG looked up to her mother as a role model. RBG once said, “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” Although RBG’s mother died the day before RBG’s high school graduation, Ginsburg went on to fulfill her mother’s dreams for her. RBG went to Cornell University, where she met her husband, Martin Ginsburg, and got her B.A. in 1954. Both of them decided to study law, and they went to Harvard Law School from 1956 to 1958. RBG went on to Columbia Law School in 1959, where she was on two prestigious law reviews (Harvard and Columbia). She got a job as a law clerk after graduating. She later taught at Rutgers University and Columbia University. During this time, RBG co-founded the Women’s Rights Program in the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). She was also a lawyer before becoming a judge of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1980. In 1993, RBG became the second female Supreme Court Justice and continues to sit on the bench today (“Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fast Facts”). Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stayed determined in the face of gender discrimination, moved the country one step closer to gender equality, and motivated others to work towards equal rights; her life story serves as an example of fighting for what we believe in, despite any challenges that may come our way.

RBG’s life story’s significance can be seen in her perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles that she came across. From early on in her life, RBG faced many challenges for being a woman in law. After entering college she was told that “she and her eight female classmates, out of ...500, were taking the place of qualified males...” ("Ruth Bader Ginsburg"). The fact that RBG was only one of the 9 women in the class did not stop her from continuing in college and law. While some may have quit, unable to handle the pressure of defying a stereotype, Ginsburg stayed in her profession of law. Her determination and resilience show us that it is possible to overcome what can seem like the hardest of challenges. After graduating from college, RBG struggled to find a job. In one instance, she even had to hide her pregnancy to keep her position: “RBG joined the faculty of Rutgers University where, in order to elude the Draconian employment policies covering child-bearing women, she concealed her second pregnancy by wearing clothes too big for her” ("Ruth Bader Ginsburg"). At the time, these policies were normal. No one wanted to hire women, let alone pregnant women. But RBG did not let these rules and requirements stop her. She simply looked at the problem and found a solution, once again showing us that rules do not have to limit us. In fact, when an interviewer was introducing RBG in a recent interview, she talked about how RBG was faced with discrimination: “...she (RBG) was told it was ok that she was being paid less than the men...because she had a husband that had a good job...” ("Ruth Bader Ginsburg: My life on the Supreme Court" 1:46). While some may have listened and followed the expectations set by society, RBG continued working towards her goals, including getting equal pay. By continuing to work towards her goals, she proved those who told her it was “ok” wrong. She proved that women were capable of working in law and should, therefore, be paid the same. Societal expectations of women were common as well as a main obstacle many women faced. Instead of letting these obstacles stop her, she used it to motivate her and push her to fight for equal rights. Through RBG, it can be seen that societal expectations don't have to define us; we can prove those who don’t think we can do it wrong. RBG overcoming her hurdles in life show us how we too, can overcome anything that may come our way. 

RBG giving a speechhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ginsburg_speaks_at_naturalization_ceremony_2018_(44580901170).jpgRBG did not just overcome gender discrimination herself, but she also made an impact by making it her goal to slowly stop gender discrimination across the country. Before becoming a justice, Ginsburg was a lawyer, and a good one too. In her career as a lawyer, she ended up fighting in many gender equality-related cases. The U.S. had made jury service for women optional, implying that women were meant to stay at home and take care of their families. RBG took the jury cases to the Supreme Court and won (Carmon and Knizhnik 74). The fact that she even took the cases to court was her first small step towards gender equality for jury duty. At the time, the norm was that women were caretakers and were meant to stay at home. By fighting for equal rights for jury duty, she went against many popular opinions at the time. Furthermore, she won those cases, showing the country that sexual discrimination was unconstitutional, and moved the country closer to the goal of gender equality. This goes to show that we do not need to let societal norms stop us from fighting for what we believe is right, and even a small step is still a step. Another example of RBG moving the country closer to gender equality can be seen through the Ledbetter Case. At this point, Ginsburg was a Justice at the Supreme Court where this case was heard: In the Ledbetter case, Lilly Ledbetter was unfairly paid less than everyone else working at the tire plant. At the time, she was the only woman working there as an area manager. The book continues talking about RBG’s thoughts and impact on the case: “‘It’s [The Ledbetter Case] the story of almost every working woman of her generation, which is close to mine,’ RBG said...RBG had never before read two dissents from the bench in one term, as she did with...Ledbetter, and people noticed” (Carmon and Knizhnik 136). By reading two dissents, Ginsburg voiced her opinion about the gender pay gap. Ginsburg was known for her dissents, but reading even one dissent was rare for a judge, and two dissents were unheard of. By voicing her opinion, along with the other judges’ opinions who disagreed with the case verdict, RBG brought attention to the injustices of gender discrimination. In fact, “In 2009, President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to reset the statute of limitations on equal-pay lawsuits with every paycheck” (Blakemore). RBG’s dissent made a difference; had it not been for her dissent, the case would have ended with the majority vote leaning towards not allowing Ledbetter to sue. Through RBG, we can learn that even when the majority has a different opinion, our opinion can still make a difference. As a lawyer and a justice, RBG fought to move the country closer to ending gender discrimination, leaving her mark on the world. 

RBG’s life story, as well as RBG herself, continues to have an impact of inspiring many to fight to end gender discrimination. When she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU, many wanted to join because of her. Margret Moses was one of those people. Moses joined the Women’s Rights Project because RBG was one of the four counsels. Moses had been offered a job from the U.S. Attorney's office but declined it so she could work at the ACLU. ("Tribute: The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and WRP Staff"). Had RBG not founded the Women’s Rights Project, Moses might have taken the job at the U.S. Attorney’s office. Many would not be in a position of fighting for equal rights. Although Ginsburg might not have intended to inspire others at the time, she ended up changing the paths of many. She pushed others to work hard for what they were passionate about. RBG shows us that by fighting for what we believe in, we can inspire others to fight for what they believe in as well. Jill Goodman was another woman at the ACLU inspired by Ginsburg. Goodman talks about her experience working with RBG, and the article continues describing her experience: “‘She [RBG] taught me so much about using words precisely, to mean exactly what I want them to mean, no more, no less’ …[Goodman] had learned much about the profession from Ginsburg...Today, Goodman works for the New York State Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts...” ("Tribute: The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and WRP Staff"). Goodman learned a lot from RBG and that knowledge led her to work in the New York State Judicial Committee, where she too made a difference in closing the gender gap. Her work at the ACLU with RBG pushed her to continue fighting for equal rights. This is one story of many showing Ginsburg’s influences. RBG demonstrates how one person can inspire many others, starting a chain reaction. Once again, Ginsburg shows us the power of an individual and how we can motivate others. RBG inspired many to fight for what they believe in and continues to have a large influence on the country. 

RBG accepts her nomination to the Supreme Courthttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ginsburgandclinton.jpgRuth Bader Ginsburg did not let gender discrimination stop her, changed the country to follow the course toward gender equality, and inspires and challenged others to work towards equal rights; her life story motivates us to fight for what we believe in, despite any obstacles that we may come across. By not letting discrimination affect her, RBG shows us that it is possible to keep going, even when it seems like the problem has no solution. By getting closer to ending the gender gap, Ginsburg shows us that one person can make a difference. By inspiring others to fight for equal rights, she shows us that we too have the ability to inspire others. She continues to inspire many, including me. She is a living example to me of how change is possible, no matter how impossible it seems. She has shown me that the challenges we face can be used to our advantage. RBG was an extraordinary woman who defied the stereotypes of her time. She made a difference in the world, changing the country for the better, and along her journey, she inspired many others to follow in her path. RBG continues to be an inspiring role model, and her story will continue to motivate us.

Works Cited

Carmon, Irin, and Shana Knizhnik. Notorious RBG: the Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Dey Street Books, 2015.

"Ruth Bader Ginsburg." Newsmakers, Gale, 1993. Gale In Context: Biography, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1618002136/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=aa390c10. Accessed 4 Dec. 2019.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg: My life on the Supreme Court.” YouTube, uploaded by CNN, 12 Feb. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuB4vr6Elok 

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fast Facts.” Website, CNN, Cable News Network, 2 Dec. 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/ruth-bader-ginsburg-fast-facts/index.html.

“Tribute: The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and WRP Staff.” American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/other/tribute-legacy-ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-wrp-staff#pioneer

Blakemore, Erin. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Landmark Opinions on Women's Rights.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 30 May 2018, www.history.com/news/ruth-bader-ginsburgs-landmark-opinions-womens-rights-supreme-court.

Works Consulted

Blakemore, Erin. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Landmark Opinions on Women's Rights.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 30 May 2018, www.history.com/news/ruth-bader-ginsburgs-landmark-opinions-womens-rights-supreme-court.

Carmon, Irin, and Shana Knizhnik. Notorious RBG: the Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Dey Street Books, 2015.

Ginsburg, Ruth Bader. My Own Words. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2018.

“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.” The Supreme Court Historical Society - Timeline of the Court - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Website www.supremecourthistory.org/history-of-the-court/the-current-court/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg/.

“Tribute: The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and WRP Staff.” American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/other/tribute-legacy-ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-wrp-staff#pioneer

"Ruth Bader Ginsburg." Newsmakers, Gale, 1993. Gale In Context: Biography, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1618002136/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=aa390c10. Accessed 4 Dec. 2019.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg: My life on the Supreme Court.” YouTube, uploaded by CNN, 12 Feb. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuB4vr6Elok 

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fast Facts.” Website, CNN, Cable News Network, 2 Dec. 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/ruth-bader-ginsburg-fast-facts/index.html.

“Women in the 1950s.” Website, Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/1950s-america/a/women-in-the-1950s.

Waxman, Olivia B. “What Ruth Bader Ginsburg Said About Abortion and Roe v. Wade.” Website, Time, Time, 2 Aug. 2018, time.com/5354490/ruth-bader-ginsburg-roe-v-wade/.