Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life was a testament to resilience, as she broke barriers in the legal world and became a pioneering advocate for gender equality and civil rights. 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Achievements

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, often known as RBG, was a groundbreaking lawyer, judge, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice who became a towering figure in American law and society. With a career spanning decades, she became a global symbol for gender equality, civil liberties, and social justice. Her life and achievements reflect her relentless pursuit of fairness, her commitment to justice, and her tenacity in overcoming personal and professional obstacles. As one of the most influential legal minds of the 20th and 21st centuries, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Early Life and Education

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Nathan and Celia Bader, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Her early life was marked by tragedy; her mother, Celia, passed away from cancer when Ruth was just 17, a loss that would have a profound effect on her. Ruth, determined to honor her mother’s memory, excelled in her studies, graduating at the top of her class from James Madison High School.

Ginsburg went on to attend Cornell University, where she earned a degree in government. She graduated with honors in 1954 and, at the time, was a pioneering woman entering a predominantly male field. After completing her undergraduate studies, Ginsburg attended Harvard Law School, where she became one of only nine women in a class of over 500 students. Despite facing significant gender discrimination, Ginsburg persevered, and she quickly earned the respect of her peers and professors. She transferred to Columbia Law School, where she finished her law degree in 1959, tied for first in her class.

Early Legal Career

After graduating from law school, Ruth Bader Ginsburg faced the harsh realities of the legal job market in the 1960s, a time when women were still widely excluded from many legal positions. Despite her remarkable academic record, Ginsburg struggled to find work, as most law firms were reluctant to hire female lawyers. Eventually, she found a position as a law clerk for Judge Edmund Palmieri in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and this experience gave her invaluable insight into the legal system.

Ginsburg’s early career was deeply influenced by her passion for civil rights and gender equality. She worked as a research associate and law clerk for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in the 1970s, where she was instrumental in the founding of the ACLU Women’s Rights Project. She would become known for her groundbreaking work in challenging laws that institutionalized gender discrimination. As a litigator, she took on some of the most important and precedent-setting cases in the fight for women’s rights.

One of her most notable cases was Reed v. Reed (1971), in which she argued that laws that gave preference to men in matters of estate administration violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ginsburg’s argument, marking the first time the Court struck down a law based on gender discrimination. This victory opened the door for many more cases in which Ginsburg and other advocates would challenge gender-based discrimination.

Supreme Court Appointments and Impact

In 1980, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s work as a litigator led to her appointment as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a position she held until 1993. During her time on the D.C. Circuit, Ginsburg built a reputation as a fair and thoughtful judge with a strong commitment to justice and equality.

Her long-standing advocacy for civil rights, women’s rights, and the rights of marginalized communities earned her recognition from then-President Bill Clinton, who nominated her to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993. At the time of her appointment, Ginsburg was only the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, following the appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor in 1981. Ginsburg’s confirmation was a smooth process, and she was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 96-3.

As a Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg played an integral role in shaping the future of American law. Throughout her tenure, she became known for her keen intellect, her unwavering dedication to justice, and her commitment to protecting individual rights. Ginsburg often stood as a voice for those who were underrepresented, and she consistently championed the rights of women, minorities, and other marginalized groups.

One of Ginsburg’s most significant contributions as a Supreme Court Justice was her role in upholding and advancing the principles of gender equality. She authored numerous opinions that expanded and reinforced the protections for women under the law, continuing the work she had begun as a lawyer. For example, in United States v. Virginia (1996), Ginsburg wrote the opinion that struck down the Virginia Military Institute’s male-only admission policy, ruling that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This decision was a landmark victory for gender equality in education.

Ginsburg also became known for her passionate dissents. As a member of the Court’s liberal wing, she was often in the minority on controversial decisions, but her dissents became iconic, inspiring many with her articulate and persuasive reasoning. One of the most famous examples of this was her dissent in Shelby County v. Holder (2013), in which the Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Ginsburg argued that the decision effectively gutted a critical safeguard for voting rights, writing, “Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”

Personal Struggles and Advocacy

Throughout her life, Ruth Bader Ginsburg faced significant personal struggles, including health challenges and the loss of loved ones. In 1999, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery and treatment. She made a full recovery and continued to serve on the Court. In 2009, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and again faced rigorous treatment, but she managed to continue working. Ginsburg’s resilience and ability to continue her work despite serious health issues became a source of inspiration to many.

Her work extended beyond legal cases and Supreme Court decisions; Ginsburg was also a staunch advocate for gender equality in her personal life. She balanced a demanding legal career while raising a family. She was married to Martin Ginsburg, a tax lawyer, and their partnership was one of deep mutual respect and affection. Martin was a major source of support throughout her career and took on significant domestic responsibilities to allow Ruth to focus on her work. He passed away from cancer in 2010, and Ruth’s strength in continuing her work after his death further exemplified her resilience.

Legacy and Cultural Influence

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy extends far beyond her legal opinions and dissents. She became a cultural icon, beloved not only for her groundbreaking work as a lawyer and judge but also for her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Her efforts in the fight for gender equality helped pave the way for women in law, politics, and beyond. Her journey inspired countless young people to pursue careers in law, especially women who saw in Ginsburg someone who had shattered barriers and overcome immense odds to achieve greatness.

Ginsburg’s fame also grew through popular culture, with references to her in movies, books, and even internet memes. Her determination and spirit were captured in the 2018 film based on Sex, which dramatized her early career and landmark legal battles. She became a symbol of resistance and strength, particularly in the latter years of her life, when she remained a key figure in debates surrounding the future direction of the Court and American democracy.

Death and Continued Influence

Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her death marked the end of an era, and tributes poured in worldwide, honoring her life and legacy. Though her physical presence was gone, her influence on American law, society, and culture continues to be felt.

Justice Ginsburg’s legacy lives on in her opinions, dissents, and unwavering commitment to fairness and equality. Her life exemplified the power of perseverance, the importance of standing up for what is right, and the impact one individual can have on the world. Ruth Bader Ginsburg will always be remembered as a trailblazer, a defender of human rights, and an advocate for justice.