The bold icon and Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, passed away on September 18, 2020 after a valiant fight against cancer. An inspiration to the entire country, she is remembered as a fierce defender of human rights and the United States Constitution. Though many students may feel that this distant political icon does not directly affect them, Bingham High School students can carry on her struggle for equality, education, and justice. 

In 1933, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, popularly known as RBG, was born into a family that loved learning. As she grew up, RBG devoted herself to education when this was not an encouraged pursuit for women. At every stage in her life, she proved herself as a woman in a man’s field. Ruth Bader Ginsberg made no apologies for her intelligence and worked incredibly hard every day to achieve her goals. 

As an attorney, Justice Ginsburg began her career tirelessly fighting for women’s equality. Her appointment to the Supreme Court in 1993 brought her work to the highest court in the land. She is the second female in history to earn this powerful position. 

Justice Ginsburg was a champion of equality and fought to end discrimination on the basis of gender, race, and religion. She played a significant role in countless cases, such as the United States v. Virginia, 1996. In this case, Justice Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion to allow women’s admittance into the Virginia Military Institute. In her words, “Women seeking and fit for a VMI-quality education cannot be offered anything less, under the Commonwealth’s obligation to afford them genuinely equal protection.” Marginalized groups rejoiced in their spokeswoman in the Supreme Court. 

“She never shouted about her accomplishments, but she was also very firm in the fact that she had worked hard and she found her work to be necessary,” says Ali Bridge, a history teacher at Bingham High School, “She is one of the women who made no apologies.”  

As a woman who “made no apologies,” Justice Ginsburg became a pop-culture phenomenon. Her supporters praised her commitment to fighting for equality, non-partisan cooperation, and hearing opposing opinions without responding with anger or hate. 

RBG is a symbol of bold empowerment for a new generation. Samantha Bell, a 15-year-old student, says, “RBG’s involvement in equal rights cannot be underestimated. She is truly an icon who deserves recognition and praise. She showed us if something is worth fighting for, fight!” Students can carry on her fight by devoting themselves to their education and having the courage to stand up for each other. Every student has the potential to change the world, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg blazed a trail for all to follow. 

Although Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed away, her life’s work will never be diminished. She was a true American hero that inspired people on both sides of the political aisle. Breaking barriers even in death, Justice Ginsburg was the first woman to receive the honor to lie in state. This solemn tradition is extended to presidents and other high-ranking American officials to lie before the United States Capitol. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has inspired students at Bingham High School to be courageous defenders of equality. When students join together to protect each other’s rights, the dream Ruth Bader Ginsburg had for this country becomes a reality.