Senior Moments

Notorious: The Life of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a woman who knew if you are going to make a change, you have to initiate the change yourself. An inspiration to many, her strong will, persistence, and influential role in women’s rights led her to become an icon to many Americans. As Superman would say, Ginsburg stood for, “Truth, Justice, and the American way” and was seen as a hero to many.

By the time of her death, Ginsburg was named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in 2009; Glamour magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 2012; as well as Time magazine’s most 100 influential people in 2015. She was said to be as courageous outside the courtroom as she was inside the courtroom. In 1999, she will be diagnosed with cancer, the first of five bouts. Even during her battle with cancer, Ginsburg was determined not to miss a single day on the bench. She was a fighter and also believed in physical fitness. She was able to complete 20 push-ups while in session in the courtroom before she was 80 years-old!

Historian Jim Gibbons will discuss The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a woman who flourished in the role as Supreme Court Justice for 27 years. Gibbons will explain how Ginsburg was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993 until her death in September 18, 2020. He will explain how she did not take “no” for an answer. Graduating as the first woman from Harvard Law School and later, Columbia Law School, she received a recommendation from Harvard for a Supreme Court clerkship position but was rejected due to her gender. It is this reason that will be a catalyst for her fight for gender equality and women’s rights throughout her career. When asked her theory on how to make things better, Ginsburg stated, “If you’re going to change things, you have to be with the people who hold the levers.”