The Supreme Court lost one of their most influential justices, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on Sept. 18. Justice Ginsburg passed away at 87-years-old from metastatic cancer of the pancreas, in her home surrounded by family.
As the second woman to be a Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg has become a prominent staple in the court, both in the actions she takes to fight for women’s rights and gender equality, and in her place as the head of the liberal side of the court. Ginsburg has been given titles such as “The Supreme Court’s Feminist Icon,” “Champion of Justice,” “Notorious RBG” and many other names that have shown the profound impact she has had on the United States’ culture and the work she has done to preserve it.
Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) by President Bill Clinton in 1993. She then continued to serve on the court for 27 years. Ginsburg took cases addressing equal pay issues, same-sex marriage, Obamacare, abortion rights and many more. Ginsburg was a very poised, but also passionate and confident woman, and despite her frail appearance, she was steadfast in her opinions and wasn’t afraid to fight for justice.
Just a few days before her passing, Ginsburg declared that she didn’t wish for her seat in the court to be filled until there was a new president to nominate a justice. Already, debates have begun on whether or not Ginsburg’s final wish will be fulfilled. President Trump has already declared Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for Ginsburg’s seat. If Barrett gets the seat, there will be a 6:3 majority for conservatives over democrats, putting the Obamacare vote (which is to take place shortly after the presidential election) in jeopardy.
Justice Ginsburg’s death has created a rift in politics that further paves the way for much uncertainty. What will women’s rights look like without Ginsburg protecting them? Ginsburg fought for women’s rights and shared many phrases that will continue to be shared through future generations.
“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”
“The state controlling a woman would mean denying her full autonomy and full equality.”
“I said on the equality side of it, that it is essential to a woman’s equality with man that she be the decision-maker, that her choice be controlling.”
What will happen to LGBTG+ rights? How is the court going to be run differently without her there? A world without Ginsburg is a difficult one to imagine since her influence has been such an important part of society. From here, everything changes; for better or worse, that is yet to be seen. But the legacy of Ginsburg will continue to live on.