Eileen Shortall is a writer with a passion for all things entertainment. From a young age, Eileen has been immersed in the arts, and believes it’s truly molded her into the person she is today. She strives to share all forms of art, from television to Broadway, and how they continue to shape society. As an avid film lover, she enjoys analyzing directors’ choices within their work and each of their scenes. She aims to vocalize the positive attributes of pop culture and entertainment, as well as her values and morals which align with everything Hollywood Insider stands for.
To any woman who has had a credit card in their name, leased or bought a property, or consented to their own medical treatment, you owe it to one woman, along with others who joined her in the fight for women’s rights. I am talking about the one and only Notorious R.B.G. The legendary Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
On September 18th, 2020, we lost the woman who opened up so many opportunities for women of today’s society and beyond. As a part of Generation Z, I often have to reflect and make sure I’m not taking them for granted. Discrimination on the basis of sex doesn’t weigh nearly as heavy on my life as it would’ve years ago. Many of my rights that I’ve grown accustomed to are owed to her tremendous progress in regard to the law. And although the movement for gender equality continues to be a long journey, she mademany a step.
The amount of respect and graciousness I have towards Ruth Bader Ginsburg is immeasurable. I am sure I speak for many women, and others, in saying that. She was an icon in all forms of the word. As a woman, I wish I had the chance to talk to RBG, although the number of thanks I owe her could’ve never been expressed in words.
If you are to take away anything from this article, please let it be this. Ginsburg once said, “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” Regardless of what you may be told, stand up for what you believe in, no matter how difficult it is. We are far from complete equality—but the fight does not end here. We owe it to RBG to continue her legacy.
In Her Honor, no pun intended, here are 32 Facts on Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
#1 RBG’s birth name is Joan Ruth Bader.
She was born on March 15, 1933, to Celia (Amster) Bader and Nathan Bader.
#2 Ruth’s mother instilled in her a passion for learning.
It’s no surprise that RBG grew up to be an intelligent young woman as her mother, Celia, reinforced the importance of education to her. She often brought Ruth on trips to the library from a young age.
#3 Ruth was a baton twirler and cello player in high school. The courtroom is not the only place where her talent thrives!
#4 Her mother, Celia Bader, passed away the day before her high school graduation.
At the 1993 White House press conference announcing her nomination to the Supreme Court, RBG stated a tribute to her mother by saying, “My mother was the bravest, strongest person I have ever known, who was taken from me much too soon. I pray that I may be all that she would have been had she lived in an age when women could aspire and achieve and daughters are cherished as much as sons.”
#5 Graduated first in her class at Cornell University.
#6 RBG just so happens to be a sorority girl!
She was a sister of Alpha Epsilon Phi while enrolled at Cornell University for her undergraduate studies.
#7 The original reason that Ruth decided to attend law school was not for women’s rights work.
She stated it was “for personal, selfish reasons. I thought I could do a lawyer’s job better than any other. I have no talent in the arts, but I do write fairly well and analyze problems clearly.”
#8 Ginsburg was one of only nine women at Harvard Law School in 1956.
Ruth and her female classmates were asked by the dean why they were occupying seats that would otherwise be filled by men. This scene is portrayed in the movie “On The Basis of Sex,” which outlines her life story.
#10 Ruth transferred from Harvard to Columbia for her final year of law school.
She ended up transferring to be closer to her husband, Martin Ginsburg. Oh, to be law school sweethearts!
#11 Even though Ruth was first in her class, she struggled to find a job upon graduation.
After graduating from Columbia, where she was at the top of her class, RBG’s job search began. Even though she proved to have a higher academic status than her male peers, few law firms at that point were opening doors to women, making it difficult to land a position.
#12 Ginsburg clerked under Judge Palmieri for two years.
After this, she was offered jobs at some law firms, but always for lesser pay than her male counterparts.
#13 Bader taught at Rutgers University Law School and then at Columbia University.
#14 While teaching at Columbia, she became their first female tenured professor.
#15 Ruth had two children with her husband, Martin Ginsburg. One daughter was named Jane C. Ginsburg and one boy named James Steven Ginsburg.
RBG’s son, James, founded Cedille Records in 1989. And her daughter, Jane, is now a part of the faculty at Columbia Law School and even served on the Harvard Law review, following in her mother’s footsteps.
#16 When Martin Ginsburg, Ruth’s husband, contracted testicular cancer, RBG attended Martin’s classes to take notes for him in classes all while she continued her own law studies.
#17 Ginsburg joined the faculty of Rutgers Law School in 1963.
When she discovered that her salary was lower than that of her male colleagues, she joined an equal pay campaign with other women teaching at the university. They ended up gaining substantial increases in pay. She also experienced gender discrimination while a part of the faculty at Rutgers, even going so far as to hide her pregnancy.
#18 In 1972, Ginsburg founded the ACLU Women’s Rights Project.
In this position, she led the fight against gender discrimination and successfully argued six landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
#19 Ginsburg accepted Jimmy Carter’s appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1980.
#20 In 1996, Ginsburg wrote the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the United States v. Virginia. It held that the state-supported Virginia Military Institute could not refuse to admit women.
#21 Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Before RBG was appointed, there was only one bathroom on-site—for men. It’s crazy to think that’s what it took for a women’s bathroom to be built, even with Sandra Day O’Connor there prior!
#28 Until the 2018 term, Ginsburg had not missed a day of oral arguments.
This even included when she underwent chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, after surgery for colon cancer, and the day her husband, Martin Ginsburg, passed away.
#29 Ginsburg was selected as this year’s recipient of the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal “for her efforts to advance liberty and equality for all.”
#30 RBG was into her personal fitness.
Up until her passing, Ginsburg worked with a personal trainer in the Supreme Court’s exercise room, and for many years could lift more than both Justices Breyer and Kagan. She did 20 push-ups a day—more than I can do at the age of 20!
She stated, “When I am at an Opera, I get totally carried away. I don’t think about the cases coming up next week or the briefs that I’m in the middle of.” She has even starred as an extra in two Washington Opera productions, once in a powdered wig and full costume and once as herself. She said that Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini are her three favorite opera composers.
#32 On September 18, 2020, Ruth Bader Ginsburg lost her battle with cancer. She is gone but NEVER forgotten.
The world lost an icon but we will remember her for eternity. Rest in power, RBG.
We, at Hollywood Insider, will forever cherish the powerful change and light that Ruth brought to this world. The respect we have for her is boundless. Not only our country—but the entire world—is a much better place due to her passion and commitment. What better way to finish this article than with an inspirational quote from the Notorious R.B.G. “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to joining you.” We will continue to highlight her wholehearted dedication to expanding women’s rights AND continue fighting for change to pay tribute and make her proud.
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Eileen Shortall is a writer with a passion for all things entertainment. From a young age, Eileen has been immersed in the arts, and believes it’s truly molded her into the person she is today. She strives to share all forms of art, from television to Broadway, and how they continue to shape society. As an avid film lover, she enjoys analyzing directors’ choices within their work and each of their scenes. She aims to vocalize the positive attributes of pop culture and entertainment, as well as her values and morals which align with everything Hollywood Insider stands for.
Eileen Shortall is a writer with a passion for all things entertainment. From a young age, Eileen has been immersed in the arts, and believes it’s truly molded her into the person she is today. She strives to share all forms of art, from television to Broadway, and how they continue to shape society. As an avid film lover, she enjoys analyzing directors’ choices within their work and each of their scenes. She aims to vocalize the positive attributes of pop culture and entertainment, as well as her values and morals which align with everything Hollywood Insider stands for.
Eileen Shortall is a writer with a passion for all things entertainment. From a young age, Eileen has been immersed in the arts, and believes it’s truly molded her into the person she is today. She strives to share all forms of art, from television to Broadway, and how they continue to shape society. As an avid film lover, she enjoys analyzing directors’ choices within their work and each of their scenes. She aims to vocalize the positive attributes of pop culture and entertainment, as well as her values and morals which align with everything Hollywood Insider stands for.
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