U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Sept. 18, multiple media outlets reported. She was 87.
President Bill Clinton appointed Ginsburg to the nation's highest court in 1993, making her the second woman to be part of the revered group. She was known for her progressive votes on issues such as abortion rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights, immigration, healthcare, affirmative action and more.
Regarding the LGBTQ+ community, Ginsburg was part of the six-to-three ruling in June declaring that LGBTQ+ Americans are protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, essentially granting them the right to sue in incidents of employment discrimination. She was also part of the majority in the five-to-four decision in the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized marriage equality throughout the country.
According to CNN, Ginsburg had suffered from five bouts of cancer—most recently a recurrence in early 2020 when a biopsy revealed lesions on her liver.
"We lost an unqualified, undisputed hero. She wasn't just an iconic jurist, Justice Ginsburg was a force for good—a force for bringing this country closer to delivering on its promise of equality for all," said Human Rights Campaig President Alphonso David in a media statement. "Her decades of work helped create many of the foundational arguments for gender equality in the United States, and her decisions from the bench demonstrated her commitment to full LGBTQ equality."
"Justice Ginsburg was a warrior for freedom and justice, and we were honored to fight alongside her," said National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon. "That struggle is more important than ever. We will celebrate her life and grieve her loss. But above all, we will honor her legacy by continuing her fight."
Equality Federation Executive Director Rebecca Isaacs said in a separte statement, "Words fall short to describe the woman who led some of the fiercest legal battles in service of making this country more just—more equal. Justice Ginsburg's commitment and dedication to advancing the rights of marginalized communities resulted in immeasurable contributions for women, LGBTQ people, and all Americans."
Earlier in September, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center announced it had extended the run of its exhibit "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.
In a statement sent to Windy City Times, the museum said, "According to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah, which began tonight, is a person of great righteousness. That is certainly true of Justice Ginsburg.
"We have been lucky enough as an institution to be telling her amazing story for the last 7 months, whether in person in our Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibition or virtually. She has become a friend to us.
"She was an amazing woman, full of spunk and grace and a quiet yet steely determination. She came of age in a time that was not supportive of women and the role they play in society. She fought discrimination at Harvard Law and when trying to find a job.
"When she volunteered at the ACLU and saw the many challenges faced by women through their letters, it informed her life's work. She used the law as a vehicle for change. And to reinforce the tenant that all people are created equal.
"Her commitment to changing society was consistent and deliberate, and she argued case after case with the underlying theme that people should not be defined by their sex.
"RBG was not just an attorney and judge, but a woman of huge heart, giant vision and remarkable work ethic. She also became a cultural icon, gaining the attention and respect of so many through her humor, workouts, and fashion sense, using her collars to indicate her point of view for Supreme court decisions.
"While we will continue to tell RBG's story at our Museum through January, we always will be inspired by her and will work to build on her legacy in the ongoing fight for human rights."
