Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Champion of Gender Equality and Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) was one of the most influential figures in American law and politics in the 20th and 21st centuries. As a Supreme Court Justice, she became a symbol of resilience, tenacity, and advocacy for gender equality, civil liberties, and the rights of marginalized groups. Her groundbreaking work in both law and the judiciary fundamentally reshaped American society, particularly in areas of gender discrimination, civil rights, and social justice.
Early Life and Education
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants. She was the second child in a family where education was highly valued, despite the financial struggles they faced during the Great Depression. Her mother, Celia Bader, was a key influence in Ginsburg’s life, stressing the importance of education and intellectual achievement. Unfortunately, Ginsburg’s mother passed away just before Ginsburg graduated from high school, which was a significant loss.
Ginsburg attended Cornell University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in government in 1954. She went on to study law at Harvard Law School, where she was one of only nine women in a class of over 500 men. After transferring to Columbia Law School, she earned her law degree in 1959.
Despite her stellar academic record, Ginsburg faced significant challenges in finding employment due to her gender. In an era when women were often excluded from prestigious law firms and legal positions, she struggled to find work after graduation. Ginsburg eventually became a law clerk for Judge Edmund L. Palmieri of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and this opportunity helped launch her legal career.
Early Legal Career and Gender Equality Advocacy
After her clerkship, Ginsburg began her career in law as a law professor at Rutgers University Law School (1963-1972), where she taught civil procedure and developed a reputation as an excellent teacher. However, it was her work in the 1970s as an advocate for women’s rights that would truly define her career and her lasting legacy.
In 1972, Ginsburg became the first female professor at Columbia Law School and also co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), where she began arguing landmark cases to challenge discriminatory laws that denied women equal treatment under the law. Ginsburg’s legal strategy was to fight gender-based discrimination by showing that such laws were not only harmful to women but were also unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
One of her early successes was her work on the case Frontiero v. Richardson (1973), in which she argued that laws denying benefits to the wives of male service members while granting those benefits to the wives of female service members were unconstitutional. She also worked on Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld (1975), in which she successfully argued that a widower, Stephen Wiesenfeld, should receive the same Social Security benefits as a widow, challenging gender-based distinctions in Social Security law.
Ginsburg’s success as an advocate in these and other cases helped lay the groundwork for her later work on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Appointment
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter nominated Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where she served for 13 years. During this time, she continued to make a significant impact on the law, writing opinions and rulings that furthered civil liberties, gender equality, and social justice.
In 1993, after the death of Justice Byron White, President Bill Clinton nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the U.S. Supreme Court. She was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 96-3, and on August 10, 1993, she became the second woman ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court (after Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who had been appointed in 1981). Her confirmation marked a historic moment for women in law and politics.
Ginsburg’s Legacy on the Supreme Court
As a Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg built a legacy as one of the strongest and most consistent voices for gender equality, civil liberties, and justice. While her views on legal interpretation were often aligned with liberal justices, her approach was also characterized by a deep respect for precedent and a careful, deliberate reading of the Constitution. Below are some of her most significant contributions and rulings:
1. Advancing Gender Equality
Ginsburg’s judicial career continued the fight for gender equality that she began in her law practice. She consistently ruled in favor of expanding women’s rights and gender equality.
- United States v. Virginia (1996): Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion in this landmark case, striking down the Virginia Military Institute’s (VMI) male-only admissions policy. The Court held that VMI’s exclusion of women violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This case was a key victory for women’s rights and helped further the cause of gender equality in higher education.
- Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007): In this case, Ginsburg dissented from the majority ruling that limited the time frame for employees to file wage discrimination claims. Ginsburg argued that the decision would unfairly disadvantage workers who experienced ongoing wage discrimination. Her dissent eventually led to the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which extended the time period for filing wage discrimination claims.
2. Support for Reproductive Rights
Throughout her tenure on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg was a staunch defender of reproductive rights, especially the right to abortion as established in Roe v. Wade (1973). While she did not believe in abortion on demand, she argued for the importance of protecting a woman’s right to make her own reproductive decisions.
- Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (2016): Ginsburg wrote a powerful opinion in this case striking down Texas’ restrictive abortion laws, which were designed to make it difficult for women to access abortion services. Ginsburg emphasized that such laws placed an undue burden on women’s constitutional rights.
3. Support for Civil Liberties
Ginsburg consistently championed civil liberties, including voting rights, the rights of the accused, and the protection of privacy.
- Shelby County v. Holder (2013): In this controversial case, the Court ruled to strike down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act (1965), which required certain states with a history of discrimination to get federal approval before changing voting laws. Ginsburg’s dissent in this case was one of her most powerful, arguing that the ruling would harm voting rights in the U.S., particularly for racial minorities.
- Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Ginsburg was a strong supporter of the landmark case legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. She wrote a concurring opinion, celebrating the decision as a victory for civil rights and equal treatment under the law.
4. Dissents and Public Persona
Ginsburg became known for her dissents, especially in cases where she felt the majority opinion undermined the rights of vulnerable groups. She became a popular and iconic figure not only for her legal acumen but also for her unapologetic stance on issues like gender equality and civil rights. Her dissents, including in cases like Bush v. Gore (2000) and Citizens United v. FEC (2010), earned her a reputation as a fierce advocate for justice.
Ginsburg was also known for her strong partnership with Justice Antonin Scalia, despite their ideological differences. Their unlikely friendship and witty exchanges became a hallmark of their time on the Court.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Ruth Bader Ginsburg became an icon, especially for women and marginalized groups, and she was often affectionately referred to as the “Notorious RBG.” She was admired for her work ethic, her sharp legal mind, and her commitment to justice and equality. Ginsburg’s influence reached far beyond the courtroom—she inspired countless people, particularly women, to enter the legal profession and advocate for equality.
Her legacy continues to influence the judicial landscape, and her death in 2020 marked the loss of one of the most pivotal figures in the fight for gender equality and civil rights in American history.
Conclusion
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s career represents the power of the law to change society. From her early work as an advocate for gender equality to her groundbreaking tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court, she leaves behind a profound legacy of justice, equality, and civil rights. Ginsburg’s legal battles helped shape the laws that govern gender equality, reproductive rights, and civil liberties, and her influence will be felt for generations to come.