By Anjuli Niyogi, Editor-in-Chief
Last Updated 09/28/2020 2:57 pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing on September 18th, 2020 has led many women around the country to mourn her loss and reflect on her impact as a litigator, feminist, and equal rights advocate. This article serves as a place for Mills’ female staff to recount on RBG’s impact on their personal and professional lives.
When did you first hear about RBG and what were your first thoughts about her?
I had heard of her for a long time, but the moment that sticks out in my mind is when someone came up with the nickname Notorious RBG. This nickname was a testament to everything that she had accomplished that was above and beyond, but also presented a feeling of rebellion. As a kid in the 90s, I grew up with Notorious BIG and it intrigued me that the nickname took off like it did. Then I watched the documentary on her and the movie On the Basis of Sex and really grew to appreciate her.”
Rebecca Leung, English Teacher
I first heard about RBG during her confirmation hearings. I appreciated her honesty and the way that she clearly stated her judicial beliefs.”
Margaret Peel, Math Teacher
I probably heard about her when she was getting appointed, but I was only in 4th grade and I’m sure most of what was on the news went over my head. In high school, I got into law, politics, and justice issues and I definitely knew who she was then. It was the 90s and a lot of what I heard Justice Ginsburg saying about experiencing sexism and inequity really resonated with me. She was speaking up about equity issues I saw in my city and at my school. It was cool to see a woman in such a high position of power putting it out there like that. It seemed like a lot of people were threatened by her honesty and openness about her experiences.”
Laura Hahn, Wellness Counselor
“I actually did not know much about Justice Ginsburg until she started to become a cultural icon and my racing team (Impala Racing Team – a women’s elite running group) decided to dress like her for Bay 2 Breakers. I started to research where she came from and, more importantly, what she fought for.”
AnneMarie Montani, Special Education Teacher
AnneMarie’s racing team dressed as RBG for Bay 2 Breakers
How do you feel she has shaped this country?
We are so fortunate for her. She was a fighter in all regards: she fought hard for her own “successes”: To get into College, to get Jobs, to Teach at College. She fought to help her sick husband while raising one of her children, while attending Law School. Once she became a Lawyer, she fought cases for equal rights for all people and was thankfully selected for the Supreme Court. She gracefully fought for her own health. She continued working despite her health issues. She is an example of selflessness.”
Hope Price, English Teacher
Gender rights are so much farther advanced thanks to her vision and willingness to break the stereotypes of how people viewed women. Equity for all, no matter your gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status were so crucial to her legacy.”
Kelly Alberta, English Teacher
I’m not convinced she is done shaping this country. She spent her life breaking through barriers and then proving that those barriers shouldn’t have been there in the first place. She made great strides in moving gender equality forward. Even her dissents are templates for change. Now, all we need is someone who is smart enough to pick up the ball and continue running with it.”
Gaby Gonzalez, Facilities Manager
I think that she shaped the country by dedicating her life and career to fighting for equal rights, especially gender equality.”
Margaret Peel, Math Teacher
I think her most lasting impact on our country will be what she represented. Her scathing dissents became pop-culture taglines because she was in a position to say what many in the county were feeling. RBG was a sliver of hope that, like her, was small, fragile, and necessary to a lot of people. I think it’s awesome she’s become a pop culture icon; I hope it helps people keep her legacy alive.”
Laura Hahn, Wellness Counselor
Besides dedicating her life to rulings that support equal rights, her presence on the Supreme Court as a tiny Jewish woman from New York was very important. She was a pioneer in school, one of just a few women in her graduating class, turned down jobs that did not support her values, and eventually made it to the highest court in the country.”
Rebecca Leung, English Teacher
Justice Ginsburg’s fight helped to shatter the confines of gender roles. She showed women that we can be powerful, confident, and get it all done. My hope is for the people of our nation to see RBG’s fight against gender inequalities and feel empowered to battle the racial injustice that continues to plague our society.”
AnneMarie Montani, Special Education Teacher
Her close friend, Justice Antonin Scalia, was also her ideological opposite and they disagreed publicly and savagely on a lot of important topics. The fact that they had such different beliefs but could still work together to find common ground is amazing , and totally #goals for America right now.”
Laura Hahn, Wellness Counselor
How and in what ways has she affected your life?
She was my vision of all the hope that we could put into the power of a Supreme Court Justice: she believed in human rights for all people!”
Hope Price, English Teacher
The court cases that she fought insured that, as a woman, I would receive equal pay for equal work and that my students would have equal access to sports, etc. through the Title IX legislation.”
Margaret Peel, Math Teacher
She was a fighter to the very end! She had confidence in her intellect, would hold her ground on fighting for what she believed in, spoke her mind, loved her family deeply, was a working mom, and appreciated the beauty in life. She was a spitfire and I hope to have the spunk that she had when I am in my 80s.”
Rebecca Leung, English Teacher
So much of what I am able to do as a woman in the United States was made possible because of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am able to be a mother and teacher (with equal pay to my male peers).”
AnneMarie Montani, Special Education Teacher
As a person who identifies as female, her ability to shatter the glass ceiling has provided great opportunities for me as an equal human being. I have a choice in how I want to regulate my decisions around my body, my finances, my profession, etc.”
Kelly Alberta, English Teacher
I also think it’s really cool to see how she led by example in terms of what it means to act like an older lady in modern times. She had a strong gym habit and started lifting weights in her 60’s! As I get older myself, it’s powerful to have a model for what my relationship with my body and exercise can be, especially in a culture that values youth. She wasn’t working out to lose weight, look a certain way, or please anyone else. Her gym addiction seemed more like a sign of her toughness and determination. I try to remember her, kicking but and lifting weights in her 80’s when I’m reluctantly pulling on my running shoes on days I’m not really feeling it. If she could do it, so can I.”
Laura Hahn, Wellness Counselor
Why is it important for young females to have figures like her?
She is a symbol of perseverance. She fought for both genders, and she fought for what she believed in. She had a healthy marriage-her husband respected her intelligence and supported her commitment to the people of her country. Young people should know that they should seek a job doing what they love, fight for it, have healthy-supportive relationships, and stand proud for the respect of all human beings.”
Hope Price, English Teacher
Absolutely. Representation matters in the courts, legislature and executive branch. Not just for young women, but for all marginalized groups. I’m going to be sipping coffee out of my Notorious RBG mug for years to come not because I thought she was perfect, but because I don’t want what she represents to be forgotten.”
Laura Hahn, Wellness Counselor
Representation is so very important. When a person is a pioneer in their field, their presence feels like a novelty. Eventually, with enough time, they no longer are the only ones in their field and their participation seems commonplace. It is easy to forget the sacrifices of those pioneers once equality has been paved. We still appreciate RBG as being only the second woman ever on the Supreme Court, and perhaps someday, paraphrasing from her, ‘there will be nine’.”
Rebecca Leung, English Teacher
Absolutely!! RBG is the epitome of ‘good things come in small packages.’ She proved that being able to effect positive change is not dependent on gender, stature, marital status, or background, but rather on desire, drive and commitment. This is the example that young females (and young males too) need–it opens the possibilities.”
Gaby Gonzalez, Facilities Manager
For sure! RBG called on all of us (male and female) to be the better part of who we are – to do what we know is right and not put self-interest or fear first.”
Kelly Alberta, English Teacher
I do believe that it is important for young females to have figures like RBG in every career because it makes it normal for women to have leadership roles and positions of influence. When young women and girls see female CEOs, politicians, superintendents, managers, engineers, etc. it seems normal to have those jobs. It demonstrates that those jobs are attainable for women.
Margaret Peel, Math Teacher
“RBG was Jewish (debatable about whether or not she practiced the religion) and she died right before Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). There is a Jewish teaching that states that those who die right before the Jewish New Year are the ones that God held back until the last moment because they have been needed and have been most righteous.”
Hope Price, English Teacher
