Following the smack down of Texas' House Bill 2, centered on women's reproductive health, by the Supreme Court, and the incredible concurring opinion given by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Whole Women's Health v. Hellerstadt, my personal favorite hashtag is trending once again. Welcome back "#NotoriousRBG"! Besides noting the "undue burden" that the Texas law put on women, RBG defines strong leadership and unabashed confidence in her opinions. Here are a few reasons why we should all look up to Notorious RBG.
1. She actually defines "#Squadgoals."
As much as I hate that hashtag, and the general phenomenon of having a sweeping "goals" statement, RBG and her girls are aspirational. They are all strong, intelligent and accomplished women who fight for those who can't fight for themselves. A coloring book has been made to immortalize Justice Ginsburg, and her colleagues Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. If anyone is looking to get me a present.
2. She is respectful, even friendly, to those who disagree with her.
The fabled friendship of Justice Ginsburg and the late Justice Scalia is a perfect example of this. Despite their absolutely polarizing opinions on how to interpret the constitution (briefly- Scalia was a strict constructionist and believed the court should carry out the constitution as the writers intended it to be read. RBG sees the document as living and flexible, meaning it should change to fit current society) the two colleagues were good friends and spoke highly of each other. They voted on opposite ends often, but Ginsburg still spoke at Scalia's funeral. She exemplifies that human beings can be kind and respectful, even to those who disagree with us. This is so important in today's society of offense and staunch opposition. We should all take a note from her book.
3. She vehemently opposes discrimination.
"I – try to teach through my opinions, through my speeches, how wrong it is to judge people on the basis of what they look like, color of their skin, whether they’re men or women." Through her decisions on the bench, RBG consistently shows a desire to make society equitable. She defends the basic rights of all humans in the face of injustice. Inspiring.
4. She is sassy as all get out.
When asked how she deals with stupid people, the justice responded "every now and then, it helps to be a little deaf." RBG also said that, if she could be anything she wanted to be, she would be a great diva, first. Check. Also, she gives incredible side eye.
5. She explains Feminism in a way that I could never.
"Feminism … I think the simplest explanation, and one that captures the idea, is a song that Marlo Thomas sang, 'Free to be You and Me.' Free to be, if you were a girl—doctor, lawyer, Indian chief. Anything you want to be. And if you’re a boy, and you like teaching, you like nursing, you would like to have a doll, that’s OK too. That notion that we should each be free to develop our own talents, whatever they may be, and not be held back by artificial barriers—manmade barriers, certainly not heaven sent." Couldn't have said it better, RBG.
6. She is a fighter and champion in all parts of her life.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn't just fight oppression and discrimination in her early career, and she doesn't just fight for individual rights today. While her husband battled testicular cancer, Ginsburg went to class and took notes for the both of them, typed his papers for him, raised a daughter and made the Harvard Law Review. She fought colon cancer in 1999 and didn't miss a single day on the bench. She again fought a bought of pancreatic cancer in 2009 and heard oral arguments 12 days after a major surgery. What even.
7. She embraces her status as queen and role model.
When asked about the... less than normal nickname, she responded saying "I think a law clerk told me about this tumblr and also explained to me what Notorious RBG was a parody on. And now my grandchildren love it and I try to keep abreast of the latest that’s on the tumblr. … [I]n fact I think I gave you a Notorious RBG [T-shirts]. I have quite a large supply." She has a supply. Of her own shirts. What a woman.
8. Most importantly, I truly believe that she wants to become obsolete.
When she was asked how she wants to be remembered she said as "someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability." RBG will not be satisfied with only her actions. Sure, she may be a trailblazer and an opinion leader among Americans, but she expects us to follow her lead. She seems to have an unshakable faith in humanity that practically begs you to live up to. Watching her isn't enough, to pay homage to this incredible woman we have to follow her lead and fix the wrongs in society she has spent her career trying to right. As awesome as she is, RBG can't do it alone.
Long live "#NotoriousRBG"
