On September 18th of this year, we lost an iconic Supreme Court Justice to metastatic cancer of the pancreas. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a strong-willed and successful woman who fought against gender discrimination and was a force to be reckoned with in the court. Her strength in the face of adversity inspired many people. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was definitely one of the most influential political and cultural figures of her time.

Ginsburg served for 27 years on the Supreme Court and managed to become one of its most prominent members. She was the second female justice there, and this, along with her fight for gender equality, was a big turning point in history. Appointed by Bill Clinton, the judge went above and beyond with her duties, strongly voicing her ideas on gender equality, rights of workers, and the separation of the church and the state. Ginsburg was incredibly important in the U.S. Supreme Court, and her role here was by far one of the most influential to society.

This contribution of hers ties into another one of her accomplishments: fighting against gender discrimination. During her time on the nation’s highest court, Ginsburg fought particularly hard for gender equality, always ready to state her opinions on the matter. She became a feminist icon, standing up for womens’ rights starting in the 1970’s. One by one, the woman removed and opposed laws that treated women differently from men, and eventually created a whole revolution. One example of this was the United States v. Virginia case in 1996, where she got the Virginia Military Institute to admit women as well. Ginsburg was most definitely a powerful woman, stopping at nothing to get equality for people no matter their gender.

Another thing to note is that the justice was exceptionally diligent throughout her entire career. Ginsburg did not miss even a day of her oral arguments, despite going through chemotherapy, colon cancer, and even the death of her husband. She flourished in the face of adversity, tackling academics, personal struggles, and discrimination with her head held high. Ginsburg addressed issues, especially gender discrimination, in a slow and calculated manner, attacking specific areas instead of making huge limitations. Anyone can see how hard she worked to stand up for what she believed in, and just how big of a deal she really was.

One could argue that because she was not the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court, her actions were not unique and monumental. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Although Sandra Day O’ Connor was amazing in her own right, being the key swing vote in many important cases and the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Ginsburg’s impact was just as, if not more, significant as O’ Connor’s. Ginsburg was an unwavering horse, becoming a political and cultural icon for people of all ages. She left a legacy seemingly more prominent to younger generations than O’ Connor’s. 

One may also be inclined to believe that many people stood up for feminism, so her support wasn’t different from anyone else’s, as it is a rather popular opinion nowadays. In spite of that, the difference she made in the community cannot be disregarded by anyone. Ginsburg actively took a part in, not just disagreeing with gender discrimination, but publicly standing up for equality, and then proceeding to slowly break down these barriers between men and women. The judge didn’t just share this opinion, she did something about it, and that made her possibly one of the best, most noteworthy feminists of all time.

Although some may be inclined to believe that Ginsburg’s accomplishments were not as special or unique as people make them out to be, you cannot deny that she has indeed had a large impact on society. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become a cultural and political icon for many people, especially those who face gender discrimination. Her diligent work in the Supreme Court was inspiring and even life-changing for some. Ginsburg will forever remain an important figure in our history, and will stay in our thoughts and hearts. We will always remember her.