Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, died Sept. 18 of metastatic pancreatic cancer on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. This is a most auspicious sign in the Jewish tradition. She was one who truly was righteous. She was a valiant fighter until the very end.
Ginsburg in her most quiet yet deliberate way was like water. Fluid, quietly resilient and ever present, she broke down barriers with quiet, steady persistence. She was well aware of the task at hand. She saw past the barriers and worked with the rule of law so that it supported all of us. Regardless of gender.
Ginsburg walked her talk. She taught her law clerks many skills that translated into their personal lives. She was inclusive. She expected as much of herself as she did of them.
Being the first in many parts of her life, she succeeded in doing so in her death as being the first woman and the first Jew to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol building. I was moved to tears as the ceremony progressed in her honor. Her life and now in her death, Ginsburg touched so many of us.
Issues RBG faced
Repeatedly, she and her husband, Marty, had to weather the repeated challenges of cancer in their lives. They survived and even thrived with the adversities that they shared. Their relationship was one of equal support that would be most welcome in more relationships.
Her work life was also stymied because of her gender. Despite her top academic performance at Columbia Law School, she couldn’t get a job. This led to teaching that ultimately allowed her to have the time to focus on gender issues that led to her successful arguments at the Supreme Court. Ultimately, her work did support her nomination to the Supreme Court. She was the tenacious, active voice of rights for all and working with the rule of law until the end of her life. Despite multiple bouts of cancer.
Continuing RBG’s legacy in your way
In grieving her death, each of us have an opportunity now to see where we can be of service to the greater good in your community. What are the strengths you have to support the many issues we face as a nation? Just pick one that matters most to you! Be tenacious, be persistent. As RBG would say: “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
Voting is a small but important step to model to friends and family in your life.
Have you registered to vote? If not, prioritize doing so because it matters. If you have registered, do vote and encourage all around you to do so. Find ways you can connect with community to support the person who best represents the needs of the people. It matters. You matter. It is in the knowing it matters and acting from that place that magic happens.
VOTE. Share the need for others to do so! Many states have polls open already. Make a game plan to do it with a friend or family member. Here is a resource: https://www.vote411.org/
