Having recently read the unauthorized biography, “RBG”, of Justice Ginsburg, I am deeply disturbed by how people are behaving in Washington. Both parties should have observed a period of silence and respect.
In reading the book, many components of her life stand out. Her rather poor upbringing was balanced by her Mother, who saved every penny for RBG to attend Cornell. Her Mother died (cancer) the day before she graduated at the top of her high school class. Yet, she was a serious cigarette smoker!
She excelled academically at every level, Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia, yet was discriminated at just about every turn of her life. Upon graduating from law school at the top of her class, she could not secure a job with the big law firms in NYC. She ended up taking a special project studying the Swedish legal system on a grant. She learned to speak Swedish and spent a year abroad.
She raised her daughter while going to law school, with the help of her great husband, Marty Ginsburg, and her supportive in laws. They were one of the first modern day couples, who shared responsibilities of parenthood. Yet, they found time to travel, enjoy the opera, and entertain at home thanks to Marty’s great culinary skills. Marty died of cancer as well.
Despite her many judicial reviews and career accomplishments, perhaps the most outstanding feature of her life was her friendship with fellow Justice Antonin Scalia. They were the best of friends, traveled together on family vacations, and enjoyed the opera, despite their extreme and opposite views of the law. This speaks volumes for her character.
I think we all know the world is a better place because of her.
Another hero dies, and who will succeed her?
golfkat Travel Blog 