Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, into a Jewish family. Her parents, Nathan and Celia Bader, emphasized education, independence, and perseverance in an era when many women found themselves limited by societal expectations. Ruth grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Brooklyn, attended James Madison High School, and proceeded to earn her B.A. from Cornell University. During law school at Harvard and Columbia, she often faced gender bias—but she pressed on, graduating tied for first in her class at Columbia Law School in 1959. 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is best known for her remarkable legal and judicial career, especially her work advancing gender equality and women’s rights. As a professor and then litigator, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and argued six landmark cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, winning five. In 1993 she was appointed to the Supreme Court—becoming its second female justice and the first Jewish woman to serve there. During her tenure she wrote powerful opinions (including in United States v. Virginia) and memorable dissents that earned her the nickname “Notorious R.B.G.” 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s influence extends well beyond the courtroom. She helped reshape legal standards in the United States by advancing the principle that gender discrimination is unconstitutional. Her voice on the Court enhanced public awareness of equality, access, and the rule of law. As a cultural icon, she inspired a generation of young people—especially women and Jews—to pursue law, leadership, and justice. Her legacy lives on through legislation she helped indirectly bring about (such as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act) and through her example of lifelong learning, resilience, and moral clarity. 

• Co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU and litigated ground-breaking gender-equality cases.
   
• Became the second woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, and the first Jewish woman justice.
   
• Authored majority opinions and influential dissents that shaped U.S. civil rights law—especially in cases like United States v. Virginia.
   
• Transformed her personal experiences with bias into a broader movement for justice and equal opportunity.
   
• Became a cultural figure (“Notorious R.B.G.”) whose story motivated activism, scholarship, and popular culture.
   
• Embodied values of perseverance, collaboration (with her husband Martin Ginsburg), and principled service. 

 Match each item with its correct description:

A. United States v. Virginia 1. Ginsburg’s majority opinion striking down gender-only admissions policy. B. Notorious R.B.G. 2. Nickname reflecting her pop-culture status and legacy. C. Women’s Rights Project (ACLU) 3. Project she co-founded to combat gender discrimination. D. Supreme Court Appointment 19934. Year she joined the highest U.S. court. E. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 5. Law passed addressing pay discrimination linked to her work. 

 Pair up students: One plays Ruth Bader Ginsburg early in her career, the other plays a law firm partner from the 1960s.
Scenario: The partner asks why RBG wants to take on gender-discrimination cases when many consider it a “women’s issue.”
After role-play, discuss: What arguments did RBG use? How did she turn personal hardship into legal strategy?