“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” ~ Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

When I found out about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18th, a Friday evening while watching Spectrum news, I sobbed. Cried as if she were my own family member. Saddened by the loss of such a giant. A legal icon in the eyes of many. One whose life and works gave a nod to my own pursuit of law. Sitting in classrooms and courtrooms, predominantly white and male as if I was destined to be there. Justice Ginsburg’s presence on the high court reminded me to speak up on behalf of myself, my views and perspective. A woman’s unique viewpoint, more importantly, a black woman’s position on the matter.

Inspired by her advocacy for issues which matter and touch my life and so many others. Ones on the fringes and margins. I read somewhere that she was made to defend her spot in Harvard Law’s incoming class of 1956. Asked by the Dean to explain why she and eight other women had taken the seats of potential male students. How absurd. She would go on to make Harvard law review and finish her legal education at Columbia Law joining law review there as well, graduating number one in the class. Later, coined the Notorious RBG, another one of Brooklyn’s finest.

In her years, as the second woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court, I enjoyed reading her legal opinions. She spoke her opinions with a clarity that could not be mistaken or misunderstood. I took pleasure in reading her dissenting opinions as she spoke her mind about the absurdity of the majority court’s decision. Respectfully and skillfully, taking no prisoners in her legal analysis with her words. Appointed by Bill Clinton in 1993, Justice Ginsburg was a champion for gender equality. During a 2019 interview at the 92Y in New York City, she was asked what would she change or add to the Constitution. She briefly paused in a knowingly manner and simply responded that she would add, all men and women are created equal.

Having spent twenty seven years on the high court, RBG leaves a legacy that cannot be filled. A legacy that we should all look to as a kind of roadmap. How to answer the ills of gender inequality, how to view members of the LGBTQ community and so many other areas for which she carried her torch.

I will remember her well, especially when I seek to doubt myself as a woman. Remembering that she thought the country would have come a ways when the Supreme Court of the United States had a majority of women…. a majority of nine. Rest well, Notorious RBG.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the steps of the court on September 23rd and 24th. On Friday, September 25th, she will become the first woman to lie in state at the United States Capitol.

~ Stacey Mack

Sources:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/press/pressreleases/pr_09-18-20

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-dies-87/story?id=27200334

Stacey M. Cameron is an Attorney, Advocate, Author and Activist with a passion towards achieving racial equity and justice in America. Founder of Grateful Badass, LLC a Media Company which promotes living with excellence in gratitude through book publishing, film production and Grateful Badass Podcast where she is host. A true Southerner at heart, she was born and raised in Memphis, TN and currently resides in New York City.

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