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March 6, 2026
A woman pursuing education in an environment that is determined to do anything to prevent her from it alone is an impressive feat. But to utilize that education for the betterment of other women for generations to come requires another level of dedication.
Ginsburg holds a title of many firsts and notable achievements, such as being the first female member of the Harvard Law Review, being one of the nine females in a Harvard class of 500 people, graduating as the top of her class after transferring to Columbia Law School after her third year, becoming the second female Supreme Court Justice, and the first Jewish woman. Contrary to plausible presumption, Ginsburg’s life was not the smoothest sailing. In fact, it was quite far from it. She lost many family members to cancer along various stages of her life, and she faced persistent gender discrimination in academia and even from governmental officials when she sought to become Supreme Court Justice. What is important is that she was not deterred in the slightest when it came to circumstantial difficulties throughout her life. Her pursuit towards not only finishing her education, but finishing it with grace and with genius.
Ginsburg’s story tells us a lot about what it truly means to stay steadfast in the face of adversity and hardship. She reminds us that even when discriminated against and mistreated, talent and endless effort always perseveres. Because the truth is, not a lot of things are always given to you, as a woman and as a minority. The harsh reality is that we have to fight for our opportunities, and this results in us working harder to get the same results as the majority. However, Ginsburg’s story gives us hope that we can make a name for ourselves even when the world seems to be against you and break through multiple potentially deterring barriers.
Ginsburg did not stop at her own breakthrough. She advocated strongly for women’s rights and gender equality as a Supreme Court Justice even after she had achieved her goals in education and her legal career. As a Supreme Court Justice (1993–2020), she championed women's rights, including authoring the United States v. Virginia decision and fighting for reproductive freedom and equal pay. In addition, she argued for many cases concerning women’s rights, and ended up winning five landmark cases. By doing this, she became a central advocate for second wave feminism in the United States, protecting women’s rights to their own body and their own choice.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg shows how much of an impact you can make in your country and in your world if you merely set your mind to it. She has faced many hardships, both personal and social, yet her sense of endurance is what brought her to the high position of power she had pioneered for herself. Applying this to the status quo, even if there are political and socially systemic barriers preventing women from leading in certain fields, it is important not to listen to the negative voices around you, to not be dejected from but learn from your hardships, and most importantly, remember that your voice is important, your goals are important, and you are strong enough to endure all the curveballs of adversity thrown your way and more.
"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception"
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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