WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, died yesterday, September 18, 2020.
Nominated by President Bil Clinton she served on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020.
Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, after Sandra Day O’Connor.
Following O’Connor’s retirement in 2006 and until Sonia Sotomayor joined the Court in 2009, she was the only female justice on the Supreme Court, and became feminist icon.
Several prominent women in Massachusetts released statements since her death.
“I share in the grief felt by those across the country at the tragic loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A mighty force for justice and equality, Ginsburg’s fighting spirit was an inspiration to me, as well as generations of women and girls everywhere. She taught us to stand tall, raise our voices, and never to give up. Her legacy now lives on in all of us,” said Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka,
“I am profoundly grateful for the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was a hero for women and a warrior for justice,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. “As a student, mother and litigator, she faced and overcame discrimination, then made the fight to end inequality her life’s work. Her distinguished 27 year career on the Supreme Court was defined by a simple, intrinsic truth: women and men are equal. With this as her North Star, she redefined workplace rights, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and health care access. She changed America and guided our progress in becoming a more perfect union.”
Rep. Clark added “Generations of people have been liberated by her work and inspired by her tenacity and intellect.As we mourn the loss of Justice Ginsburg and celebrate her life, we must also honor her “most fervent wish” to be replaced after the next president takes office. Justice Ginsburg always worked for fairness, and the American people deserve the opportunity to select our next president before a new justice is appointed. I send my prayers and gratitude to the Ginsburg family for sharing her incredible life with us. Today, America grieves an icon for equality. Tomorrow, we continue her fight.”
“What is there to say that hasn’t been already said about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg? This loss is devastating not just because a brilliant trailblazing woman is gone, but because of everything she represents. For so many Americans, she was their freedom personified. Justice Ginsburg once said, ‘one lives not just for oneself, but for one’s community,’ and that’s how she lived her own life, dedicating much of her career to women’s rights, workers’ rights, civil rights, and justice under the law. We all owe this legal giant a debt of gratitude. May her memory be a blessing. Tomorrow we fight in her honor,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.
“Ruthie was my friend and I will miss her terribly. The t-shirts simply labeled “RBG” made her notorious. But it was her wit, her tenaciousness, and her skill as a jurist that made her an icon,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “As a young mom heading off to Rutgers law school, I saw so few examples of female lawyers or law professors. But Ruthie blazed the trail. I’m forever grateful for her example — to me, and to millions of young women who saw her as a role model. Later, Ruthie’s groundbreaking work as a legal advocate for women led to a distinguished career as a federal judge and a Supreme Court Justice. Her lifelong dedication to fighting for justice for everyone, and her love for our nation, will be sorely missed. With voting already underway for the 2020 elections, Ruthie’s “most fervent wish” was for her replacement not to be named “until a new president is installed.” We must honor her wish.”
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Original story here.