Portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Legal Pioneer & Supreme Court Justice

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

רות ביידר גינזבורג

March 15, 1933 - September 18, 2020

Washington, D.C.

The life of Ruth

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family. She graduated from Cornell University and Columbia Law School, where she tied for first in her class. Despite facing gender discrimination in her early career, she became a pioneering advocate for gender equality. As an attorney, she co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU and argued six landmark cases before the Supreme Court. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the Supreme Court, where she served with distinction for 27 years. Known for her sharp intellect, careful jurisprudence, and powerful dissents, Justice Ginsburg became a cultural icon, inspiring millions with her dedication to equal justice under law. She passed away on September 18, 2020, leaving behind a legacy of courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Notable achievements

Second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
Co-founder of the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU
Argued six landmark cases before the Supreme Court
Recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards