Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a legend among those that occupied the highest court in America. She was the second woman to ever serve on the US Supreme Court. To many of us (including myself), she was an inspiration and a testament to what a woman can do when she sets her mind to something. Ginsburg was a champion of women’s rights, and while we feel the loss of her presence deeply, her legacy lives on not only in the hearts and minds of those who admired her, but in her wisdom and words that she left behind. Here are three of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s best quotes to inspire you as we continue to march into the political sphere without her.
- “Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
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Politics in America are chaotic, to say the least. It seems like we’re more willing to yell at and attack each other than we are to sit down and have a conversation with those who see things differently than us. In a world with so much hatred, let’s remember this quote. We have to fight for the things we believe in, but we must never stoop to dragging others through the mud. True leaders lift others up; they don’t tear them down.
- “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”
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Ever heard of the phrase “slow and steady wins the race”? It’s true, especially when it comes to changing the political and social climate. If we want to see movement forward, we have to be willing to be patient. No matter how discouraging it may get, truth and the right will prevail every time, and that’s change worth waiting for.
- “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
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As only the second woman to sit on the SCOTUS, I’d like to think that she was proud of all the progress we have made since then in giving women a seat at the table. That being said, we still have a lot of work to do, and this quote is a reminder to never give up on pursuing your dreams. You do have a voice, and you do deserve to be heard. We can’t stop until every woman is welcome “in the Room Where It Happens.” (Hamilton reference? I think yes.)
Our Great Dissenter may be gone, but what she stood for and what she fought for still live on. We all deserve to have a say in what our government does, and we all must strive to lead others in an upright way. Ruth Bader Ginsburg will continue to impact generations to come, but we owe it to her memory to continue what she started. Take an active role in your government and, most importantly, vote! Make sure your voice is heard when the ballots are counted. After all, it’s what she would have wanted.