Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) was an American lawyer and U.S. Supreme Court Justice who became one of the most influential legal minds of the modern era. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she faced gender discrimination throughout her early career despite exceptional academic achievements at Cornell University and Harvard Law School. After establishing herself as a litigator and law professor, she founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU in the 1970s, arguing several landmark cases before the Supreme Court that challenged gender discrimination in law. Her brilliant legal strategy and passionate advocacy helped reshape American constitutional law regarding women's equality. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where she served for thirteen years before President Bill Clinton elevated her to the Supreme Court in 1993. Justice Ginsburg became known for her incisive questioning, rigorous opinions, and principled dissents that defended constitutional rights. She authored the majority opinion in United States v. Virginia (1996), striking down gender-based admissions policies at Virginia Military Institute. Her legacy extends far beyond her legal decisions; she became a cultural icon and symbol of resistance to injustice, inspiring generations of women and civil rights advocates. Her death in September 2020 marked the end of a remarkable life dedicated to equal justice under law.