Words by: Cassie Hoepner
“Women belong where the decisions are made”
The recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has seen an outpouring of love from around the globe. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsber was an inspiration to women in the fight for gender equality and was the most influential feminist lawyer of all time. Reflecting on her amazing career and life, here are four things we can learn from RBG.
- You belong where the decisions are being made
RBG’s most famous quote “women belong where the decisions are made” gives women the confidence to know that they too belong in the boardroom, in parliament, at the Supreme Court or anywhere men have traditionally dominated.
Women had previously been left out of the making of laws, policies or running of large companies and RBG paved the way for women’s representation in these areas.
- Age does not define you
RBG was 87 years old at the time of her death, still working in the Supreme Court and essentially holding the fabric of US democracy together. With longer lifespans and improving medical outcomes we are living and working for much longer than past generations.
RBG has redefined aging and working as an older woman, showing that women do not lose their value in the workplace as we age but rather that you are never too old to make a difference.
- Motherhood does not have to stop your career
RBG experienced many of hurdles working mothers face throughout her career and this inspired her work for working mothers and fathers to be equal. Women have often had to make a choice between career and motherhood but RBG has shown that women can be successful at both and one does not have to come at the cost of the other.
- Play the long game
RBG co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Rather than seeking to end all gender discrimination at once, she took on one law at a time, in order to build momentum. As women we feel pressure to succeed and reach our ultimate goal from the get-go, but RBG has shown us that incremental and achievable steps to build upon, can be a more sustainable way to achieve our goals.