She is a role model for everyone, especially little girls, but also boys, reminding them that they can be and do anything if they believe in themselves and never give up despite obstacles. She described many instances of discrimination including from a Harvard Law School professor who chided her for taking a man’s spot but she was not deterred. After graduating at the top of her Columbia Law School class, no New York City law firm offered her a job but she never gave up and inspired countless girls, women and men to shatter the glass ceilings women and people of colour still face.
So if you are looking for inspiration for your little daughter, your son, or yourself, we invite you to read the article below (which we’ve found on the « A Mighty Girl » website) and browse through the collection of books and movies related to the life and works of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Originally posted on September 20, 2020
Supreme Court Justice, lawyer, women’s rights advocate, and pop culture icon: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died today at the age of 87, meant so much to so many people. Whether you first encountered her name in discussions of women’s rights court decisions or on websites proclaiming her Notorious RBG, there’s no doubting her influence on today’s world. In memory of this influential — and inspirational — lawyer, activist and Supreme Court Justice, we’re sharing her powerful story, as well as our favourite books and films about this trailblazer for both children and adults. We’ve also highlighted a few resources, from t-shirts to music albums, that pay tribute to her inspiring life. Justice Ginsburg may be gone, but her legacy lives on — both in the law and in the minds and hearts of Mighty Girls and women who follow in her footsteps.
A life in the law
Columbia Law Professor Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1980.Born Joan Ruth Bader in Brooklyn, New York in 1933, Ginsburg excelled at school, in part thanks to the encouragement of her mother, Celia Bader, who died of cancer the day before Ginsburg’s high school graduation. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in government at Cornell University in 1954 as the highest-ranking female student in her graduating class. A month after graduating, she married Martin D. Ginsburg, but neither she nor her husband believed that married life meant the end of her career aspirations as was common at the time. Ginsburg enrolled at Harvard Law School in 1956 as one of nine women in a class of 500; the Dean reportedly asked all the female students, including Ginsburg, « How do you justify taking a spot from a qualified man? »
She transferred to Columbia Law School when her husband took a position in New York City. Although she graduated tied for first in her class in 1959 and had a strong recommendation from Harvard Law’s Dean, Ginsburg was turned down for a clerkship position for a Supreme Court Justice due to her gender. She took a clerkship with a judge in the New York District Court and later founded the Women’s Rights Law Reporter, the first law journal in the U.S. focused on women’s rights. During the 1970s, she taught at Columbia Law School where she became the first woman to receive tenure and co-wrote the first law school casebook on sex discrimination.
Ginsburg co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU in 1972 and, as its chief litigator, argued several landmark courses in front of the Supreme Court, including Reed v. Reed which extended the Equal Protection Clause — or equal protection under the law — to women for the first time. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that an Idaho State Code requiring « males must be preferred to females » in selecting administrators of estates or inheritances was discriminatory and unconstitutional. Ginsburg served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for thirteen years until her appointment by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, when she becomes the second female justice on the Supreme Court.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her official portrait in 2016.On the Supreme Court, Ginsburg became famous for delivering searing dissents and for being one of the Court’s main advocates for advancing women’s rights under the law. As she explained once in an interview: « I was a law school teacher, and that’s how I regard my role here with my colleagues, who haven’t had the experience of growing up female and don’t fully appreciate the arbitrary barriers that have been put in women’s way. »
Ginsburg has also become known in recent years by a new nickname — Notorious RBG! Originally started as a Tumblr page to honour the Justice, Notorious RBG is a play on words referencing fellow Brooklyn native, the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.. The popular book, Notorious RBG, explores both Ginsburg‘s influential legal career and her recent rise as a cultural icon. Its co-author, Irin Carmon explains Ginsburg‘s mass appeal, stating: « I don’t think the iconic status that she’s achieved could happen without social media at all, because I think the Internet has given young women the opportunity to choose our own heroes. »
Ginsburg served on the Supreme Court for over 27 years until her death of pancreatic cancer at the age of 87 on September 18, 2020. During those many years of service, Ginsburg continued to bring her unique perspective and her decades of legal experience to the Supreme Court’s judgments. However, when asked, she said there was one major change she wished to see in her lifetime: « If I could choose an amendment to add to the Constitution, it would be the Equal Rights Amendment… a prime part of the history of our Constitution is the story of the extension of constitutional rights to people once ignored or excluded. »
As the world’s oldest written constitution, the U.S. Constitution was written during a period when gender equality was far from being an important societal value. While over time the U.S. has passed many laws protecting women’s rights, Ginsburg observed, « Legislation can be repealed. It can be altered… That principle belongs in our Constitution. » Moreover, Ginsburg said that when her granddaughters read the Constitution, she would like them to see that the « notion — that women and men are persons of equal stature — I’d like them to see that is a basic principle of our society. »
Books and Movies about Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I Look Up To… Ruth Bader Ginsburg
« I look up to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Let me tell you why… » This detailed board book is a great way to introduce babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to a woman you admire! The book distils Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s inspiring attributes into page spreads with vibrant illustrations that are appealing for babies and toddlers and text that’s interesting enough for preschoolers. Each spread includes a quote from RBG herself! This book is from the I Look Up To… series that celebrates inspiring women; other volumes in the series feature Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai, Serena Williams, and Misty Copeland.
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
This first-ever children’s picture book about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg proves that disagreeing doesn’t make you disagreeable! I Dissent tells the story of Ginsburg’s many disagreements: arguments against the inequality, discrimination, and unfairness that she saw all around her. Equally importantly, though, Ginsburg’s life and friendship show that you can oppose someone’s opinion vocally, even ferociously, while still being friends. Inviting and informative, this lively telling of Ginsburg’s story encourages young readers to speak up themselves!
No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Today, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one 
of the most respected women in the United States, but there was a time when she had to fight the idea that women didn’t measure up to men — both in her own career and in the laws of her country. Ginsburg fought discrimination herself in college, law school, and her work life, and then argued cases that showed that women’s inequality was damaging to everyone. This picture book tribute to « Ruthless Ruthie » includes touching personal details and emphasizes how Ginsburg’s successes changed her nation.
ritten by:Laurie CalkhovenRuth Bader Ginsburg grew up knowing first-hand what it was like to experience discrimination — and she was determined to change that. As a lawyer, she fought for equality in court, and on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, she judges cases with a keen eye to both law and justice. In this early reader biography from the You Should Meet series, kids can learn more about Ginsburg’s inspiring life — and extra information in the back will even teach them how they can become a lawyer themselves!
Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg‘s mother taught her that she should strive for independence — and the brilliant young woman did. But when she graduated from law school, she faced discrimination for both her gender and her Jewish heritage. She refused to give up, and build a career based on high-profile cases tackling laws that allowed discrimination — laws she overturned time and again. And in 1993, she became the second woman ever to sit on the United States Supreme Court, where her fierce intellect and ferocious dissents have made her a cultural icon. In this inspiring book from the Big Words series, author Doreen Rappaport combines her own prose with Ginsburg’s quotes, and Eric Velasquez provides vibrant illustrations that encourage kids to imagine themselves as champions for justice, just like RBG.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality
« Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: During this trial, you will learn about a little girl who had no clue just how important she would become. » In this fascinating book, the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is told in the form of a trial, not unlike those that she argued as a lawyer and hears today as a judge. The narrator lays out « the facts of her case » — sexism, anti-Semitism, discrimination against working mothers — and highlights how the « notorious » Ginsburg became a symbol of justice in America. Unique, tongue-in-cheek, and full of heart, this book is a powerful testament to Ginsburg’s lasting influence.
Who Is Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes her appearance in the Who Is? biography series! In this accessible biography, kids will learn all about Ginsburg’s childhood, her time as one of the rare women law school students, her key court victories, and her time on the Supreme Court bench. They’ll also learn how this determined, outspoken woman became a pop culture phenomenon as the Notorious RBG. It’s a compelling look at the inspiring life behind this iconic figure!
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Young Readers’ Edition
Middle grade fans of the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg can now learn her story in this young readers edition of the best-selling Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg! From her convention-defying choice to continue law school even after marrying and having a family to her blistering dissents from the bench of the U.S. Supreme Court, this book explores Ginsburg’s influence on both the law and popular culture. Young readers will be fascinated to see how this one determined woman has changed the face of their country over the course of her life.
Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice
Today Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a feminist icon — but how did she get there? In this graphic biography, Debbie Levy, author of the best-selling picture book I Dissent, highlights how Ginsburg evolved over time, from her shy childhood to a passionate advocate and activist to a celebrated Supreme Court Justice. Expressive illustrations from Whitney Gardner capture both Ginsburg’s life and the world around her that helped shape her beliefs. Compelling and empowering, this graphic novel is a detailed introduction to the life of the inspiring RBG!
Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work
Written by:Victoria Ortiz
mended Age: 13 and upIn this unique look at Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author Victoria Ortiz interweaves Ginsburg’s life story, influences, and landmark court cases together to create a multifaceted portrait of an American icon! Each of the ten chapters highlights one court case alongside one aspect of Ginsburg’s life, from her childhood to the influence of her faith on her work to her judicial career. Readers also get a better picture of how America’s legal system works, and how cases reach the Supreme Court. This engaging biography, complete with black and white archival photographs, is perfect to encourage a new generation to question, argue, and dissent!
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg made her name as a feminist pioneer long before the Internet was a pop culture phenomenon, but nearly 50 years into her career, an unusual thing happened: Tumblr, and the rest of the Internet, adopted the newly-nicknamed Notorious RBG as a symbol of how far we’ve come — and how much work we still have to do. This fun and informative book combines interviews, annotated dissents from Supreme Court cases, archival documents, and illustrations to create a unique portrait of the woman who has spent decades transforming the way that America sees women. Along the way, readers will be inspired by this dedicated woman’s unyielding strength of will.
Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World
Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were the first two women ever to sit at the Supreme Court bench, and while their individual stories are remarkable, equally intriguing is the story of how they supported one another despite their differences. Their friendship transcended political, religious, region, and culture as each of them fought for recognition in a male-dominated profession and strove to make things better for the women who followed after them. Hirshman’s dual biography juggles legal fact and personal anecdote for a rounded and complex look at two remarkable women and their equally remarkable friendship.
My Own Words: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
In her first book since joining the Supreme Court bench 23 years ago, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg shares her insights on wide-ranging topics, including gender equality, the workways of the Supreme Court, being Jewish, law and lawyers in opera, and the value of looking beyond US shores when interpreting the US Constitution. The writings included were selected by both Justice Ginsburg and by her authorized biographers Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams, who also provide chapter introductions that give biographical context and even quote from interviews they have conducted about Ginsburg’s life and work. This thoughtful memoir provides an insightful look into the life of one of America’s most influential women.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s pioneering career has made a profound mark on both American law and society. Now, in this definitive biography, meticulously researched and fifteen years in the making, admirers of this groundbreaking jurist can learn about the foundational moments of her life, work, and philosophy. When Ginsburg began her study of law, she was one of only a handful of female law students; as a law professor at Rutgers University, she had to hide her second pregnancy or risk losing her job. But her tireless efforts to fight for gender equality have continued to push progress forward. In this substantial work, author Jane Sherron de Hart has produced an intriguing portrait of a justice whose influence, particularly on the lives of American women, cannot be overstated.
The Unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American Icon
ten by:Antonia FelixIn honour of the 25th anniversary of her appointment to the Supreme Court, Antonia Felix presents a loving tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s groundbreaking legal career, pop culture influence, and private life. This pictorial retrospective includes 130 photos from throughout Ginsburg’s life, accented with quotes from Ginsburg’s interviews, speeches, and legal opinions, as well as references to her unexpected internet fame as the Notorious RBG. Insightful commentary and a foreword by Mimi Leder, the director of the RBG biopic On The Basis Of Sex makes this a stirring and touching look at the life of one of America’s trailblazers.
RBG
d upSee Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legal legacy — and personal life journey — through her own eyes and the eyes of those who know her best in this stirring documentary of an American trailblazer and icon! As Ginsburg reminisces about her student years, her work with the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, and her years on the bench, she takes a frank look at her own triumphs and foibles. At the same time, others speak about her influence: on the law, on popular culture, and on the way the country thinks about women’s rights. Fresh, often funny, and very real, this documentary about the groundbreaking RBG is a must-watch.
On the Basis of Sex
ended Age: 12 and upWhen a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg begins her law career, nobody takes a woman lawyer and young mother seriously. But Ginsburg is determined to leave her mark on the law, first as a professor at Rutgers, encouraging her students to see the many ways in which the law discriminates, and then in the landmark Moritz v. Commissioner case. If she can strike down one law that discriminates on the basis of sex — even if that law is discriminating against a man — perhaps she can start to pull apart the fabric of legal inequality. Director Mimi Leder captures the fire and determination that drove Ginsburg to become a tireless advocate for civil rights and gender equality in this exuberant biopic.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg In Pop Culture
Dissent (She Series) Print
facturer:Karen HallionCelebrate the unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg — and the power of shaking up the status quo — with this poster from artist Karen Hallion‘s She Series! This 11 by 14 inch print features the determined Supreme Court justice with the word « Dissent. » It comes printed on 100lb cardstock and shipped in a clear art sleeve and rolled in a cardboard poster tube.
Never Underestimate A Girl With A Book Ruth Bader Ginsburg Shirt
d Age: 2 and upRuth Bader Ginsburg knew that a girl with a book could change the world! Celebrate the legacy of this inspiring Supreme Court Justice with this colourful shirt. This shirt features a graphic that includes Ginsburg’s likeness and the phrase « never underestimate a girl with a book » superimposed on a pile of books! It’s available in multiple colours and in kids’ sizes 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12; women’s sizes small to 3XL; and men’s/unisex sizes small to 3XL.
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Women Who Dared Building Blocks
urer:Uncle GoosePay tribute to 32 women who changed the world with this set of heirloom-quality blocks from Uncle Goose! This hand-crafted set features women who made significant contributions to the world, including figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and more. Each block features one woman’s name, portrait, quote, and a short explanation of her historical importance. Together, the blocks can be assembled to form the Suffrage Movement slogan Deeds Not Words. They’re sturdy enough for play but also make a beautiful display piece and learning tool — and, like all Uncle Goose products, they’re made in the USA from sustainable Michigan basswood and non-toxic inks.
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Funko POP Ruth Bader Ginsburg
As a lawyer, a judge, and a Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has devoted her life to fairness and equality! You can celebrate this American icon with this Funko POP Vinyl figure. Ginsburg is depicted in her justice’s robes, ready to hear tough cases at the Supreme Court. This 3 3/4 inch figure is just the right size for display on a desk or shelf, alone or in its collector window box.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Action Figure
Manufacturer: FCTRYGet a little inspiration to persist with this fun 6″ action figure of Ruth Bader Ginsburg! This action figure depicts RBG in her judicial robes and distinctive jabot collar, and comes with a removable gavel in her hand. Her arms are articulated so that you can pose her out of the box, and her feet are designed so that she stands on any flat surface. Plus, collectors will love that she comes in a resealable box, so you can decide how you want to display this unique piece.
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Pins
Show off your love of the Notorious RBG with this set of pins from The Unemployed Philosophers Guild! This pair features the inimitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg; one pin depicts her face, while the other boldly declares, « I dissent. » These brass, nickel-plated, enamel pins are built to last, and come with rubber backs that will ensure your pins stay put. They’re the perfect way to pay tribute to a groundbreaking lawyer and an American icon!