UNITED STATES. US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at the age of 87 on 18 September. Ginsburg was undergoing chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer earlier this year. She was the oldest justice and the second woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Ginsburg served for 27 years as a Supreme Court Justice. She was a prominent feminist and was an inspiration for everyone.
Ginsburg’s life and her legacy
Ginsburg was born to Jewish immigrant parents in Brooklyn, US. She was very good in academics since childhood. During the year of 1933, Ginsburg studied at Harvard Law School. She was one of the nine women in a class which included about 500 men. Ginsburg did not receive a single job offer after her graduation despite being a class topper. However, she started working in various jobs in the legal profession.
In 1972, Ginsberg became the first female professor at Columbia Law School. Ginsberg also co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in the same year.
Ginsburg was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1980. This decision was taken by former president Jimmy Carter in order to diversify federal courts. In 1993, she was appointed to the Supreme Court by former president Bill Clinton. She was only the second woman ever appointed to the nation’s top court when she took her seat 27 years ago.
Toward the end of her life, Ginsburg became a national icon and an inspiration for many young women across the globe. She soon became a social media icon after one of her law student named her as “Notorious RBG”. The justice was at first taken aback. Since, there was nothing notorious about her.
However, when her grandchildren explained the connection between her nickname and the rapper Notorious B.I.G her skepticism turned into delight. The comparison introduced Ginsburg to a new generation of young feminists and she became an icon for everyone.
Tributes pour in for Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Condolence messages for Ginsburg poured in from around the world. Chief Justice of US, John Roberts said in a statement, “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence, that future generation will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her – a tireless and resolute champion of justice.”
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US politician and presidential candidate, Joe Biden paid tribute to Ginsburg through a tweet. He said in a tweet that Justice Ginsburg fought for everyone. She was a true inspiration.
US President Donald Trump also reacted to Ginsburg’s death. In an open statement, he said that Ginsburg was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. President Trump is now expected to nominate a conservative replacement for Ginsburg as soon as possible.
