Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Early Life and Education
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Nathan and Celia Bader. Her early life was marked by her family's emphasis on the importance of education and the value of hard work. Ginsburg's mother, Celia, was a significant influence in her life, instilling in her a love for learning and a determination to succeed. Tragically, Celia passed away from cancer the day before Ginsburg's high school graduation.
Ginsburg attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn, where she excelled academically. She went on to attend Cornell University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government in 1954. It was at Cornell that she met her future husband, Martin D. Ginsburg. Following her graduation, Ruth and Martin married and moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where Martin was stationed as an officer in the U.S. Army.
In 1956, Ginsburg enrolled at Harvard Law School, where she was one of only nine women in a class of over 500 men. Despite facing gender discrimination, she excelled academically and became the first female member of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. After her husband accepted a job in New York City, Ginsburg transferred to Columbia Law School, where she graduated tied for first in her class in 1959.
Legal Career and Advocacy
After graduating from law school, Ginsburg faced significant challenges in securing employment due to her gender. Despite her academic achievements, she was rejected by numerous law firms. Eventually, she secured a clerkship with Judge Edmund L. Palmieri of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Following her clerkship, Ginsburg worked as a research associate and then as an associate director of the Columbia Law School Project on International Procedure. During this time, she co-authored a book on Swedish civil procedure, which established her as an expert in the field.
In 1963, Ginsburg joined the faculty at Rutgers School of Law–Newark, where she taught civil procedure. She became one of the few women in the country to hold a tenured position at a law school. During her tenure at Rutgers, Ginsburg began her work on gender discrimination cases, which would become a hallmark of her career.
In 1972, Ginsburg co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As the director of the project, she argued several landmark cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, challenging laws that discriminated on the basis of gender. Her strategic approach involved selecting cases that demonstrated how gender discrimination harmed both men and women, thereby building a broad coalition in support of gender equality.
Supreme Court Nomination and Tenure
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. During her time on the D.C. Circuit, Ginsburg developed a reputation as a moderate and pragmatic judge, often working to build consensus among her colleagues.
On June 14, 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Justice Byron White's retirement. She was confirmed by the Senate on August 3, 1993, by a vote of 96-3, becoming the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, following Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Ginsburg's tenure on the Supreme Court was marked by her strong advocacy for gender equality and civil rights. She authored several influential opinions, including United States v. Virginia, which struck down the male-only admissions policy of the Virginia Military Institute, and Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which addressed pay discrimination. Her dissent in the Ledbetter case led to the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which expanded workers' rights to sue for pay discrimination.
Judicial Philosophy and Legacy
Ginsburg was known for her meticulous legal reasoning and her commitment to the principle of stare decisis, the doctrine of adhering to precedent. She often emphasized the importance of incremental change and consensus-building in advancing civil rights. Her judicial philosophy was characterized by a deep respect for the Constitution and a belief in its capacity to adapt to changing societal norms.
Throughout her career, Ginsburg was a staunch advocate for gender equality, reproductive rights, and the rights of marginalized communities. She was also known for her collegial relationships with her fellow justices, including those with whom she often disagreed, such as Justice Antonin Scalia. Their friendship became emblematic of the possibility of civil discourse and mutual respect across ideological divides.
Ginsburg's legacy extends beyond her judicial opinions. She became a cultural icon, affectionately known as the "Notorious RBG," inspiring generations of women and young people to pursue careers in law and public service. Her life and work have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films, highlighting her enduring impact on American society.
Personal Life and Final Years
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was married to Martin D. Ginsburg for 56 years until his death in 2010. They had two children, Jane and James. Martin was a prominent tax attorney and a professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Their partnership was marked by mutual respect and support, with Martin often taking on domestic responsibilities to support Ruth's career.
Ginsburg faced several health challenges throughout her life, including battles with cancer. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to her work on the Supreme Court, often returning to the bench shortly after undergoing treatment.
On September 18, 2020, Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Her death prompted a national outpouring of grief and reflection on her contributions to the legal field and her role as a trailblazer for women in law.