When Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away last week, it was an incredible loss to the nation that she served.
This shy woman with a soft voice was a force of nature who brought a powerful combination of dignity, intelligence, and conviction to the courtroom that allowed her to leave an indelible mark on women’s rights and civil rights.
Her legacy will live on through a number of landmark cases in which she played an instrumental role, including:
- “United States v. Virginia, 1996,” which challenged a policy that barred women from admission to the Virginia Military Institute.
- “Olmstead v. L.C., 1999, which delivered a victory to rights for people with disabilities.
- “Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2007,” with her dissention from the Supreme Court’s decision that made it harder for employees to sue their employers in cases of pay discrimination.
- “Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015,” in which Ginsburg’s vote helped overturn bans on same-sex marriage.
- “Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, 2016,” a pivotal case for abortion rights.
These cases reveal the depth of Ginsburg’s impact on society and how she accomplished so much in her life that has had such a positive impact for others. As Barack Obama recently stated perfectly: “Justice Ginsburg helped us see that discrimination on the basis of sex isn’t about an abstract ideal of equality; that it doesn’t only harm women; that it has real consequences for all of us. It’s about who we are — and who we can be.”
Writing in the Harvard Gazette, Tomiko Brown-Nagin explained that Ginsburg will be remembered for far more than her legal achievements — she stands out for having inspired us. “Ginsburg also should be remembered for her resilience. Personal setbacks animated her quest for social justice.”
The voice and presence of this pioneer for gender equality will continue through her accomplishments. Let’s all join together with gratitude and continue to use our given power to continue the vitally important work that justice Ginsberg started, which not only create equal and fair opportunities for women, but for humankind.
Contact me at info@shambaughleadership.com or link to SHAMBAUGH’s offerings to learn more about SHAMBAUGH’s Navigating Change – Building Your Resilience Factor in Uncertain Times, Accelerating Gender Equity, Executive Coaching, and Inclusive Culture,
Rebecca Shambaugh is President of SHAMBAUGH Leadership, and Founder of Women in Leadership and Learning. Rebecca is a contributing writer to Harvard Business Review, the HuffPost, and a TEDx speaker. Rebecca has been featured on CNBC, Forbes, Training Magazine, and US News and World Report. She is author of the best-selling booksIt’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor andMake Room for Her: Why Companies Need an Integrated Leadership Model to Achieve Extraordinary Results.
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