Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg (March 15, 1933 – September 18, 2020) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death. Before her appointment to the Supreme Court, Ginsburg was a prominent civil rights advocate and law professor who argued six cases before the Supreme Court, winning five, and fundamentally shaping gender equality jurisprudence in America. As a Justice, she became known for her incisive legal reasoning, powerful dissents, and unwavering commitment to civil rights, equality, and reproductive freedom. Ginsburg's opinions on gender discrimination, voting rights, and religious liberty left an indelible mark on American constitutional law. Beyond the bench, she became a cultural icon—a symbol of judicial independence, feminist progress, and resistance to executive overreach, particularly during her later years. Her iconic dissents, especially in cases like Shelby County v. Holder and Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, inspired a devoted following. Ginsburg's legacy transcends her legal opinions; she fundamentally changed expectations about women's roles in law and society, serving as an inspiration for generations of women lawyers and activists.