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Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a lawyer and United States Supreme Court Justice known for her many years of service and impacting influence.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the history of human rights.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and a Summary of Human Rights

There are three major human right cases that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was involved in:

• United States vs Virginia – Regarding Virginia Military Institute male-only admission policy
• Support for the Right to Abortion
• Opposition to the Voting Rights Act of 1965

United States vs Virginia – Regarding Virginia Military Institute Male-Only Admission Policy

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is known for her liberal stance, and for shaping and supporting major issues pertaining to women’s rights.

One of her most famous decisions was ruling Virginia Military Institute’s admission policy as unconstitutional.

When Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a Supreme Court Justice, Virginia Military Institute had a male only admission policy.

She ruled this policy as a gender-biased admissions policy and unconstitutional.

More so, she claimed public institutions such as Virginia Military Institute not be allowed to have gender influence admission decisions.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated the below:

denies to women, simply because they are women, full citizenship stature — equal opportunity to aspire, achieve, participate in and contribute to society

Reference : “United States v. Virginia – Legal Momentum”

Her decision in the ruling proved highly influential and monumental for her career, as well as human rights as a whole.

Support for Right to Abortion

Ruth Bader Ginsburg supported the right and access for women to have abortions.

The state in which she practiced law had deemed abortions illegal.

Given the circumstances, Ruth Bader Ginsburg looked to overturn these rulings.

She stated the below:

the basic thing is that the government has no business making that choice for a woman

Reference : “The Place of Women on the Court – The New York Times”

She believed government has no right or authority to decide the decisions women make around abortions.

Furthermore, she stated neglecting woman of these decision would lead to the demise of democracy.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

In 2013, the Shelby County vs. Holder trial found part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as unconstitutional.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave African Americans the right to vote.

However, the Shelby County vs. Holder trial addressed provisions in the Voting Rights Act that required federal approval prior to any amendment of voting rules.

This made it more difficult for certain groups of people to be extended voting rights.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has the following to say regarding the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In voting rights cases, the court should defer to Congress, which has been given sweeping powers under the Constitution, and especially in amendments passed after the Civil War, to protect such rights.

Reference : “Between the Lines of the Voting Rights Act Opinion – The New York Times”

Thus, it’s clear she viewed Shelby County vs. Holder as unconstitutional.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Legacy

• 1933：Birthyear of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• 1954：Graduated from Cornell University
• 1954：Married to Martin D. Ginsburg
• 1956：Enrolled in Harvard Law
• 1959：Obtained Law Degree from Columbia Law School
• 1961：Became Deputy Director of Columbia Law Project
• 1963：Tenured Professor at Rutgers Law
• 1972：Tenured Professor at Columbia Law
• 1980：Judge of D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
• 1993：Inaugurated as Federal Supreme Court Justice
• 1996：United States vs. Virginia Judgement
• 1999：Olmsted vs. LC Decision
• 2000：Friends of the Earth vs. Laidlaw Environmental Services Judgement
• 2005：City of Cheryl vs. Onida Indian Nation of New York

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’ Influence

The influence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg includes:

• Protection of Women’s Rights
• Legislating US Law based off International Law Principles
• Reshaping Native American Legislation

Protection of Women’s Rights

Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought to improve and protect women’s rights.

Her influence had, and continues to have a strong impact on the protection of women’s rights.

She ruled the Virginia Military Institute’s application policy as unconstitutional.

By ruling against is, she proved it was unconstitutional to allow gender to influence admissions policies.

More so, this law had impact on other issues that were discriminating based on gender.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg also had a major influence on abortions and unwanted pregnancies.

Therefore, awareness and action to improve women’s human rights is said to be largely influenced by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

US Legislation Based Off International Law Principles

Ruth Bader Ginsburg proposed US law could be based, or take aspects of international law.

She prefers to consider situations and decisions that have been made internationally.

This way of thinking and perspective influenced her stance on women’s rights and gender.

She argues legislation and decisioning should not only be based off formally constructed laws, but rational and convincing international law.

Rethinking Native American Law

Ruth Bader Ginsburg also impacted Native American rights.

The United States is composed of a large amount of indigenous land.

Her ruling regarding the Oneida Indian Nation land not being able to gain back sovereignty was extremely impactful.

Through this ruling, she also had a strong influence on Native American rights.

Q&A Regarding Ruth Bader Ginsburg

What is Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Opinion on the MeToo Movement ?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is in favor of the MeToo movement.

She had this to say about the movement:

really turned on by the #MeToo

Reference : “Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she is ‘really turned on’ by #MeToo movement – ABC news”

She is an active participator in women’s rights.

What is the Relationship Between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Donald Trump ?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has a negative opinion on Donald Trump.

She has stated the following regarding Donald Trump:

I can’t imagine what this place would be — I can’t imagine what the country would be — with Donald Trump as our president … For the country, it could be four years. For the court, it could be — I don’t even want to contemplate that.

Reference : “Ruth Bader Ginsburg “can’t imagine” what the U.S. would be with President Trump – CBS news”

She has publicly apologized for this comment.

Is Ruth Bader Ginsburg a Conservative ?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is said to not be a conservative.

This assertion is based off her perspective and stance on issues throughout her career.

Much of her philosophy on law is influenced by international law.

She does this to incorporate sound judgement, considering many ideas and perspectives, which include those outside the US.

She’s also had several forward thinking and innovate decisions.

Thus, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is said to be a liberal rather than a conservative.

The Relationship Between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Human Rights

Ruth Bader Ginsburg fights to secure and protect the rights of woman and minorities.

In this respect, she is arguably the most influential figure in women and minorities rights.

It’s also imperative to understand her stance on human rights.

This is because she’s extremely knowledgeable and has acted on the matter.

Therefore, we must understand Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s philosophies and influence to raise our awareness around human rights.