Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Definition

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1993 until her death in 2020. Known for her strong advocacy for gender equality and women's rights, Ginsburg's opinions often shaped the landscape of judicial interpretation in these areas, leaving a lasting impact on American law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ginsburg was the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court and became a cultural icon known as 'Notorious RBG' due to her fierce advocacy and strong opinions.
2. Her notable majority opinions include United States v. Virginia, which struck down the male-only admission policy at the Virginia Military Institute, promoting gender equality in education.
3. Ginsburg often used her dissenting opinions to advocate for civil rights and gender equality, highlighting issues she believed the majority did not adequately address.
4. She co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU, which played a significant role in advancing legal protections for women in the 1970s.
5. Ginsburg's legacy includes not only her legal contributions but also her ability to inspire generations of women to pursue careers in law and public service.

Review Questions

• How did Justice Ginsburg's opinions reflect her commitment to gender equality?
  • Justice Ginsburg's opinions frequently emphasized the importance of gender equality, particularly in cases involving employment discrimination and education. Her majority opinion in United States v. Virginia exemplified this commitment by ruling against the exclusion of women from military institutions, arguing that such policies reinforced harmful stereotypes. Through her decisions, Ginsburg sought to dismantle systemic barriers that hindered women's rights and opportunities.
• Analyze how Ginsburg's use of dissent contributed to the evolution of judicial opinions on civil rights.
  • Ginsburg's dissenting opinions were critical in shaping the conversation around civil rights within the Supreme Court. By articulating her disagreements with majority rulings, she brought attention to issues that were often overlooked or minimized. Her powerful dissent in cases like Shelby County v. Holder illustrated her concern for voting rights, emphasizing the potential negative impact of weakening protections established by the Voting Rights Act. These dissents not only highlighted her views but also served as a rallying point for future advocates seeking reform.
• Evaluate Ginsburg's overall impact on judicial activism in relation to her role on the Supreme Court.
  • Justice Ginsburg’s approach to judicial activism was characterized by her strong belief in using the law as a tool for social change, particularly regarding gender equality and civil rights. Unlike some justices who favored restraint, Ginsburg actively sought to interpret laws in ways that expanded protections for marginalized groups. Her legacy reflects a balance between respect for precedent and a willingness to challenge unjust laws, ultimately influencing how subsequent justices might approach similar issues in their rulings.

Related terms

Dissent: A dissent is a written opinion by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court.

Majority Opinion: The majority opinion is the official statement of the court that reflects the views of more than half of the judges deciding a case.

Judicial Activism: Judicial activism refers to judicial rulings that are suspected of being based on personal or political considerations rather than on existing law.