The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020, shocked people around the world. Ginsburg was the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court nominated by President Bill Clinton.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was known for her dainty appearance standing at a mere five feet tall and barely weighing 100 pounds. Although she was tiny, no fight for women’s rights was too big to fight for from her perspective. The rights women have gained over the last several decades are undoubtedly due to her dedication among the many issues concerning the lack of equality in regards to areas both in the workplace and personal matters.
“I think the work she did even before joining the Supreme Court to stop gender discrimination have had a huge impact on my life and my ability to live a life on my own without depending on a man to take care of me or co-sign a credit card or loan. I don’t want to imagine what my life would look like without her work.” Emily Shouse, patent lawyer at Patterson Intellectual Property Law in Nashville, stated when asked what she felt would be Ginsburg’s greatest legacy.
Before Ginsburg, women could not do simple tasks without permission from a man. In 1974, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act passed allowing women to sign a mortgage without a male co-signer. She also fought for equal pay which is still an ongoing battle in multiple industries.
Furthermore, the fight for protecting pregnant women in the workplace was a vital issue for women across the country. Often times, pregnant women were fired for becoming pregnant; this is now illegal thanks to protective measures currently in place that now consider this act to be a form of sexual discrimination.
Tennessee Tech Women’s Center is known for its platform of educating others about equality and women’s issues. This is a topic that has sparked many conversations among females across the nation in response to the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“RBG always stood up for herself and for other people. She refused to accept being treated differently, and women in college today can learn from her example by doing the same thing for themselves and those around them.” Helen Hunt, director of the Tennessee Tech Women’s Center, stated when asked how female students in college could follow by Ginsburg’s example.
After the death of Ruth Ginsburg, voter registration numbers nearly doubled from two years ago and had an 118% increase from the prior weekend, according to CNBC. Not only did she inspire women to be independent and fight for women’s rights but she also changed the equality status of women for the better.
“I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to the very best of her ability.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated.
While there is still much to be done, she has forever changed the lives of countless women, and her impact will be felt for generations to come. She has sparked a fire in women that can never be put out.
