No matter your gender, sexual identity, political beliefs, or ethnic origin, Ruth Bader Ginsburg likely affected you in some way, whether you are aware or not.
The woman who stood just scantily above 5-foot tall was the epitome of a mighty leader who changed lives and made history. The Notorious RBG pioneered the ongoing battles for women’s rights, human rights, social justice and civil liberties. She successfully fought for the legalization of LGBTQ+ marriage, gender equality across the board, and the rights of minority and socioeconomic groups of Americans of all ages. But there is still work for us to do.
When the press release circulated the internet announcing the death of the prominent feminist icon, it seemed like the entire country stopped for a moment. After a long battle with cancer, she died at the age of 87. Ginsburg spend decades leading a pack of like-minded Americans with a brightly lit torch, which flame still burns brightly despite her recent passing. It will burn until each and every human has equal rights—white, black, gay, straight, one with a disability, poor, elderly or young.
Ginsburg made strides for women, well into her 80s; it’s blatantly obvious. She defended women’s right to choose. She fought for reproductive rights. She fought for employees’ rights to birth control, regardless of their employer’s religious beliefs. Ginsburg fought for Lilly Ledbetter, a long-time Goodyear employee, to be paid the same wages as her male counterparts. Although the courts favored Goodyear, Ginsburg did not back down. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first law signed in 2009. (Thanks, Obama.)
Jury duty is no longer optional for women, thanks to Ginsburg’s triumphs. In 1996, the Virginia Military Institute stood as the last all-men’s college in the U.S. Later that year, women were free to attend due to RBG’s persistence.
Ginsburg didn’t just support women through the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and in the courtroom. She was a champion for other women in her life. Take, for example, Dorothy Kenyon, Brenda Feigen and Pauli Murray, fellow activists for women’s rights and equality. But most of all, she respected her deceased mother, Celia, who instilled in Ginsburg independence and a love for education.
Men who may have stumbled upon this, Ginsburg has changed your lives, too. She helped make it possible for widowed men to receive survivor’s benefits via social security (Weinberger, v. Wiesenfeld, 1975 and Califano v. Goldfarb, 1976). The Social Security Act previously only provided these benefits to widowed women. Ginsburg also made it possible for widowed men to receive property tax exemptions, while in the past this exemption was only granted to widowed women (Kahn v. Shevin, 1973).
Another groundbreaking change RBG contributed to: She was an advocate in Frontiero v. Richardson, 1973, which provided dependent allowances to men whose wives were members of the military. As one might guess, these benefits were previously only allowed to the wives of men who were serving in the military.
She also played a role in restricting the discrimination of Americans living with mental disabilities by limiting institutionalization. Ginsburg fought endlessly for same-sex marriage equality and the against the discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community—so much so, the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal in 2015. Her hard work didn’t happen overnight. It took decades of diligence. And can we just talk about how her signature embellished collars will remain at the height of classic fashion until… forever?
And now, the former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court has left us with her torch. It’s up to us to carry it with respect, honor and dignity, while fighting for the rights of humanity. With the still-present racial discrimination and gender inequality, let’s do Ruth a favor: Let’s make her proud by honoring her legacy. Let’s band together to do what is right for humanity and equality since she no longer can. The work she started is up to us to finish.
If she could care for an infant, her ill husband, attend law school, assist with her husband’s law school homework, all while making history, you have no excuse. Now, please. Do Ruth a favor, and use your American right to vote.
About the Author
Hello! I’m Kennedy (Nolen) Polanski. I work in the admin office of a Central Illinois non-profit, which focuses on providing an “Island of Safety” to children and supporting families in crises. I’m a big reader, certified camper, *new* Girl Scout troop leader, avid hiker, and mediocre crocheter! (Hit me up for a pot holder.) I also perfected my blueberry pancake recipe during the stay-at-home order— and it’s to die for. When I find a spare minute, I like to share first-hand, comical content on my personal sector of the Internet, thekennedyera.com.
