Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Trailblazing Life in Law and Equality

Team Notable Americans

Introduction

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a pioneering lawyer, judge, and Supreme Court Justice who reshaped the landscape of American law, particularly in the areas of gender equality and civil rights. Affectionately known as “Notorious RBG,” she became a cultural icon for her unwavering commitment to justice. Serving on the U.S. Supreme Court for 27 years, her work left a profound impact on the legal system, inspiring generations to fight for equality.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Birth and Family: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Nathan and Celia Bader. Her family was observant Jewish, and her parents valued education highly, though neither attended college themselves134.

Sister and Mother’s Influence: Her elder sister, Marilyn, died of meningitis at a young age. Ginsburg’s mother, Celia, encouraged her love of learning and took her to the library regularly. Celia passed away from cancer just before Ruth’s high school graduation14.

Name Change: To avoid confusion with other girls named Joan, Ruth began using her middle name in kindergarten.

Education

Elementary and High School: Ginsburg attended P.S. 238 for elementary school and James Madison High School in Brooklyn, where she excelled academically38.

Cornell University: She entered Cornell on a full scholarship, studying government and graduating with high honors in 1954. At Cornell, she met her future husband, Martin Ginsburg.

Harvard Law School: Ginsburg enrolled at Harvard Law School in 1956, where she was one of only nine women in a class of about 500 students. She faced gender discrimination and was excluded from certain facilities.

Columbia Law School: After two years at Harvard, she transferred to Columbia Law School for her final year, graduating in 1959 tied for first place in her class. She served on both the Harvard and Columbia Law Reviews, a rare achievement

Birth and Family Background

Birth: Joan Ruth Bader was born on March 15, 1933, at Beth Moses Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to Nathan and Celia Bader13.

Family: Her father, Nathan Bader, was a Jewish immigrant from Odesa, Ukraine, who worked as a furrier. Her mother, Celia, was born in the United States to Jewish parents from Poland13.

Sister: Ginsburg’s older sister, Marilyn, died of meningitis at the age of six when Ruth was just 14 months old15.

Upbringing and Education

Jewish Heritage: The Bader family was observant Jewish and belonged to the East Midwood Jewish Center, where Ruth learned Jewish values and traditions25.

Early Education: Ginsburg attended P.S. 238 for elementary school and later James Madison High School, graduating in 195025. She was known for her academic excellence and involvement in student activities.

Name Change: She began using her middle name, Ruth, in kindergarten to avoid confusion with other girls named Joan45.

Family Influence

Mother’s Influence: Celia Bader encouraged Ruth’s love of learning, taking her to the library regularly. However, Celia passed away from cancer just before Ruth’s high school graduation35.

Father’s Influence: Nathan Bader valued education, though he did not attend high school himself. He supported Ruth’s academic pursuits36.

Early Career Path

College and Marriage: Ginsburg entered Cornell University on a full scholarship, where she met her future husband, Martin Ginsburg. They married in 1954, shortly after she graduated from Cornell57. She then began law school at Harvard in 1956

Early Legal Career and Advocacy

Despite her academic brilliance, Ginsburg struggled to find employment due to gender bias. She eventually clerked for Judge Edmund L. Palmieri before beginning her teaching career at Rutgers Law School and later at Columbia Law School, where she became the first tenured female professor.

Her most groundbreaking work began in the 1970s when she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). As an advocate, she argued six major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, winning five. Some of her notable cases include:

• Reed v. Reed (1971) – The first Supreme Court case that struck down a law for gender discrimination.
• Frontiero v. Richardson (1973) – Challenged discrimination in military benefits.
• Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld (1975) – Addressed gender bias in Social Security benefits.

These victories helped establish equal protection under the law regardless of gender, laying the foundation for modern gender discrimination law.

Supreme Court Appointment and Judicial Tenure

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where she served for 13 years. Her reputation as a thoughtful and fair judge led to her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993. She was confirmed with an overwhelming 96-3 Senate vote, becoming the second woman ever to serve on the nation’s highest court.

During her tenure, she played a crucial role in major rulings, including:

• United States v. Virginia (1996) – Struck down male-only admissions at Virginia Military Institute.
• Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) – Strengthened disability rights under the ADA.
• Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007) – Her dissent led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, ensuring fair pay for women.
• Shelby County v. Holder (2013) – Dissented against a ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act.
• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) – Supported the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Her dissents became legendary, often emphasizing the importance of equality and justice. Her powerful words in cases like Shelby County v. Holder inspired activism and legislative reforms.

Personal Life and Challenges

Ginsburg’s marriage to Martin Ginsburg was a defining aspect of her life. A tax attorney, Martin was a devoted partner who championed her career. Together, they had two children, Jane and James. Throughout her career, she balanced motherhood and legal work, often staying up late to complete her responsibilities.

Her life was also marked by numerous health challenges. She survived multiple battles with cancer (colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer) while continuing her work on the bench. Her resilience and dedication to justice never wavered, even as she faced health struggles in her later years.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

In her later years, Ginsburg became a pop culture icon, earning the nickname Notorious RBG, a play on rapper Notorious B.I.G.’s name. Books, documentaries (RBG and On the Basis of Sex), and even memes celebrated her commitment to justice. Her dissent collar, a jabot she wore when disagreeing with Supreme Court rulings, became a symbol of resistance.

Her impact extended beyond legal circles. She inspired young women to enter law, fight for gender equality, and pursue leadership roles. She also played a crucial role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, worker protections, and voting rights.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg 10 inspiring quotes

1. “When I’m sometimes asked when will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court] and I say, ‘When there are nine,’ people are shocked. But there’d been nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a question about that.”

Highlighting the need for gender equality in leadership positions

2. “Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” 

   – Encouraging strategic and inclusive advocacy.

3. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” 

   – Advocating for women’s participation in decision-making roles.

4. “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” 

   – Emphasizing the importance of gradual progress.

5. “I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” 

   – Advocating for gender equality and freedom from oppression.

6. “Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.” 

   – Highlighting the transformative power of reading.

7. “When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade.” 

   – Offering advice on maintaining composure in challenging situations.

8. “Justices continue to think and can change. I am ever hopeful that if the court has a blind spot today, its eyes will be open tomorrow.” 

   – Expressing optimism about the potential for growth and change.

9. “I want to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability. And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little better through the use of whatever ability she has…” 

   – Reflecting on her legacy and commitment to social improvement.

10. “Feminism—I think the simplest explanation, and one that captures the idea, is a song that Marlo Thomas sang, ‘Free to Be You and Me.’ Free to be, if you were a girl—doctor, lawyer, Indian chief. Anything you want to be.” 

    – Explaining feminism through the lens of personal freedom and choice.

books written by or about Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

Books Written by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

1. My Own Words 

   – A collection of writings and speeches on topics like gender equality and the Supreme Court.

2. Decisions and Dissents of Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg 

   – A compilation of her judicial decisions and dissents.

3. Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue 

   – Co-authored with Amanda Tyler, this book explores Ginsburg’s life and career.

4. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: In Her Own Words 

   – A collection of her writings and statements.

Books About Ruth Bader Ginsburg

1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life by Jane Sherron De Hart 

   – A biography exploring her advocacy for gender equality and legal influence.

2. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik 

   – A tribute to Ginsburg’s career and impact on gender equality.

3. Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirshman 

   – Examines the intertwined lives of the first two women on the Supreme Court.

4. I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy 

   – A picture book about Ginsburg’s achievements through the lens of her dissents.

5. Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law by Jeffrey Rosen 

   – Offers insights into Ginsburg’s life and legal philosophy.

6. The RBG Way: The Secrets of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Success by Rebecca Gibian 

   – Explores Ginsburg’s approach to success.

7. Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work by Victoria Ortiz 

   – Chronicles her life and landmark cases.

8. Free to Be Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Story of Women and Law by Teri Kanefield 

   – Evaluates Ginsburg’s achievements in law and society.

9. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality by Jonah Winter 

   – A picture book about her life and advocacy.

10. Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Doreen Rappaport 

    – A biographical picture book about Ginsburg’s life.

Death and Aftermath

Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Her death triggered a national period of mourning, and she became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.

Her passing also led to significant political ramifications, as her Supreme Court seat was quickly filled by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, shifting the Court’s balance toward conservatism.

Conclusion

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life was one of resilience, brilliance, and unwavering dedication to justice. Her contributions to gender equality, civil rights, and the legal system will continue to shape the United States for generations. Her legacy reminds us that the fight for justice requires persistence, courage, and an unshakable belief in equality under the law.