Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies at 87
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at the age of 87, according to a statement released by the Supreme Court, on Friday. According to the statement, Ginsburg died from pancreatic cancer complications. She has undergone treatment for cancer several times in the past, most recently over the summer.
“Our nation has lost a justice of historic stature,” Chief Justice John Roberts said. “We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her, a tired and resolute champion of justice.”
Statement from the US Supreme Court on the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. pic.twitter.com/Vk2hU1Z6uY
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) September 19, 2020
Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton. A champion of Civil Rights, her court opinions often upheld the right to health care, including the Affordable Care Act. And in the 1999 landmark case Olmstead v. LC, Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion protecting the right of people with disabilities to live in the community.
Fans, friends and colleagues reacted to her death on social media and celebrated the powerful legacy she leaves behind.
"Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) September 18, 2020
A shock. A sadness. A great loss. The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves a hole in a nation already reeling. She is an American hero, in every sense. We can honor her by joining to carry forth her legacy of equality, empathy, and justice. May she Rest in Peace.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the kind of scholar and patriot you get excited about explaining to your kids. The kind of person who you say “who knows, one day you could be HER”. I hope you rest well, RBG, you must have been tired from changing the world.
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 19, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg devoted her life to the fight for equality and the rule of law. There is no greater responsibility in this moment than ensuring that fight continues. This is it. Everything. We have to step up and collectively demand justice. We cannot back down.
— Charlotte Clymer ????️???? (@cmclymer) September 19, 2020
It is not an understatement to say that Ruth Bader Ginsburg single-handedly changed the futures of millions of American women. pic.twitter.com/DUWjtYcgUG
— Ashly Perez (@itsashlyperez) September 19, 2020
This is devastating, an incalculable loss. We owe so much to RBG. Rest in Power Ruth Bader Ginsburg. #RIPRBG
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) September 19, 2020
"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception."
– RBG. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a legend and she will be missed.
Rest In Peace #RBG #RIPRBG ???????????? pic.twitter.com/eg4M1jlfgd— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 18, 2020
The passing of the great Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a great loss to the nation. It is a tremendous loss to civil rights for all Americans. RIP RGB.????????
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) September 18, 2020
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”
We keep fighting. We keep moving. We keep taking steps forward.
Rest In Peace, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and thank you.
???? pic.twitter.com/8iMLURpxcj— Elizabeth Tulloch (@BitsieTulloch) September 19, 2020
Few Americans have done as much for the cause of equality as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She broke glass ceilings at every turn. She envisioned and implemented a humane and progressive interpretation of the law. She changed this country for the better.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg wasn’t just a giant on women’s rights, she was a giant on all minority rights. She was a Jewish woman who stood up to Trump’s ban on Muslims. That’s because she believed in the idea and promise of America. She was the best of us. #RIP
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) September 19, 2020
“I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability." — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg pic.twitter.com/KF9Wjk3B13
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) September 19, 2020
It’s beyond heartbreaking to hear that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of pancreatic cancer today. She lived a glorious life and changed the world. I know Justice Ginsburg will live on forever in the hearts and minds of millions of people for generations to come.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) September 19, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a hero, a trailblazer, and an icon. She may be gone, but her legacy will live on for generations. We’re reading this book tonight to honor her, and on November 3rd, we’ll honor her again by voting. I hope you’ll do the same. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qtarrLX7Cc
— Eric Rosswood (@LGBT_Activist) September 18, 2020
Our nation is better, fairer, and more just because of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Today, we pause to reflect on her extraordinary life. Tomorrow, we must do the work to ensure her legacy is not undone. Godspeed Notorious RBG. pic.twitter.com/wKCbHT1yQX
— Todd Gloria (@ToddGloria) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer for women’s rights and a courageous woman with a passion for justice while she served. Hope she can rest peacefully knowing her legacy will live on for decades to come.
— Ovi Kabir (@TheOviKabir) September 18, 2020
NEW: the flags outside the Supreme Court are being lowered right now, in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. pic.twitter.com/O0I4eyyf9F
— Heather Graf (@ABC7HeatherGraf) September 18, 2020
Header image via Supreme Court of the United States / Public domain