On this day 30 years ago, 10 August 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court of the USA by Bill Clinton. She would go on to be a pillar of the Supreme Court, an advocate for gender quality, and so much more.
Looking back to 10 August 1993, it was a momentous day in the US as Ruth Bader Ginsburg gained a seat on the Supreme Court.
She was the second woman to ever be appointed to the US Supreme Court and the first ever Jewish woman at that. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s impact is felt not just in the United States but around the world.
She spent her life and career fighting against gender discrimination and personally changing the tide of opinions of individuals and of governments to reform and progress policies and laws.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – a female pioneer who truly changed the world
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of the most inspiring women of the last century and of all time. Fondly nicknamed the ‘Notorious RBG’, she inspired a generation of women to break gender barriers and fought tirelessly for gender equality.
Despite her incredible law school accolades, which included her graduating first in her class from Columbia Law School, she faced hardship and discrimination in her quest to gain employment.
She said in 1993, “I was Jewish, a woman, and a mother. The first raised one eyebrow; the second, two; the third made me indubitably inadmissible”.
In 1963, she became the second female law professor at Rutgers. Here, she questioned why men in the same field were being paid more and fought for equal pay.
On This Day: Ruth Bader Ginsburg is appointed to the US Supreme Court – a momentous moment for gender equality
On 10 August 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the second woman in history to be appointed to the US Supreme Court. She served on the Supreme Court right up until her death at the age of 87 in September 2020.
The first was Sandra Day O’Connor. To this day, there have only been six female Supreme Court Justices.
During her time as a Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg successfully argued six landmark cases before the US Supreme Court, which she won five of.
During her fight for gender equality against discrimination, she did not just fight for the rights and views of women but those of men who were discriminated against as well.
Her career & influence – adored by many
During her iconic career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave a voice to those in society who are marginalised and often shut down.
When the Supreme Court struck down laws restricting same-sex marriage in the United States, she became the first Supreme Court justice to officiate a same-sex marriage. Thanks to her advocacy for gay rights, she became an icon in the LGBTQ+ community.
Thanks to her strong opinions and will, her relentless fight for justice and her iconic look (the bun, the glasses, the shirts), young people in the modern era idolised RBG.
As she once said, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you”.