I Dissent: The Legacy of Justice Ginsberg
(Disclaimer: La Tonique Media LLC does not represent any political ideology. While we do not espouse any political beliefs, we do seek to provide a balance perspective by incorporating voices from both sides of the political spectrum.)
By Dagen Kipling
Ruth Bater Ginsberg is one of the most famous judges to have ever sat on the Supreme Court bench. The ‘Notorious RBG’ gained a large following by fighting tooth and nail for justice and equality. Citizens of the United States actively watched the small-statured justice battle against corporate and political giants for the rights of people without a voice.
Win or lose, Ginsberg consistently voted progressively on societies’ high conflict topics: abortion rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights, immigration, health care, and affirmative action.
From the day that RBG appeared in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee for her hearing to determine whether she would be offered the spot on the bench, Ruth was completely transparent as to why she wanted the job. “The controversies that come before the Supreme Court as the last judicial resort touch and concern the health and well-being of our nation and its people,” Ginsberg said. Ruth was the right candidate for the job because she was willing to have the tough conversations necessary to instill change.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is celebrated amongst her colleagues (Photo: Getty Images)
The impact that RBG managed to make in the lives of disenfranchised Americans while sitting on the bench of the Supreme Court is impressive; however, what might be even more impressive was the fact that she managed to achieve this while going up against five conservative justices. Leading the four-member liberal wing of the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsberg often had to make her voice heard through her scathing dissents.
One of Ruth’s most famous dissents comes in a 2014 Supreme Court Case Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court determined that companies cannot be forced to pay for specific types of contraceptives for their employees. Ruth Bater Ginsberg disagreed with the majority. She wrote a dissent explaining how the Supreme Court had “ventured into a minefield” believing that all employees will share the same religious beliefs as their employer. While on the losing side of the case, RBG did not sit quietly as injustices occurred to women in the workforce.
In Ledbetter v. Goodyear, RBG delivered a dissent so powerful that it drove President Barack Obama and Congress to sign equal pay legislation in 2009. She continued to write influential opinions to overcome the racial injustice embedded in America’s law. She sought to protect affirmative action in public universities, the Voting Rights Act, and LGBTQ persons’ equality norms.
While Ruth may have done most of her best work in dissent, she led the majority for one of her most essential opinions delivered during her career as a Supreme Court justice. Three years into RBG’s career on the bench, United States v. Virginia came before the court. The case’s focus was on the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) policy of only allowing male students into their school. VMI argued that their goal was to “produce men prepared for leadership in civilian life and in military service.”
Justice Ginsberg delivered the 7-1 ruling claiming that while Virginia “serves the state’s sons, it makes no provision whatsoever for her daughters. That is not equal protection.” This case is the epitome of what Ruth Bater Ginsberg was trying to do in her position as a Supreme Court Justice, attempting to establish fair and equal laws.
Ruth Bater Ginsberg was a fighter, a courageous warrior willing to stand up against any opponent to defend her beliefs. From her academic career to her litigation career and her legacy of sitting on the Supreme Court, Ruth Bater Ginsberg earned everything she had. What makes RBG one of the most influential figures in American history is all of those battles she endured for the greater good. Ruth Bater Ginsberg was one of the strongest advocates for equality and justice our generation has ever seen. Her passing has been felt across the country, and her legacy will live on in every single person willing to fight for the equality that she believed in.
Check out part two of this series here.
You can follow Dagen on Twitter @DagenKipling