Upon hearing the news of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, I felt devastated and demoralized. The “Notorious RBG” was a champion of social justice. Women have benefited from her work in so many ways. Thanks to Justice Ginsburg, we can now open bank accounts, get credit cards, and be approved for a mortgage without the need of a husband or father. The creation of these rights occurred during my lifetime, which simply blows me away. Because of Justice Ginsburg, we are less likely to be fired from our jobs if we become pregnant. We can serve on juries. We can attend state-funded schools and receive equal benefits for military service. Those are just a few examples of the ways in which she helped women move towards equality.
Justice Ginsburg was the co-founder of the women’s rights project at the ACLU and a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. Though she paved the way for me and other women in so many ways, there are things I am still afraid to do because of my gender. I live in a rural, mountainous area. I hike the trails with my dog and walk everywhere enjoying the trees, lakes, mountains, and wildlife. Unlike many women, I am more afraid of seeing a bear than walking alone after the sun sets. Yet, no matter the time of day, I always avoid the bottom of my road. Why? Because a man lives there who has “decorated” his driveway with a BBQ grill where female mannequin heads are “cooking” in pots. Each time I drive by I am reminded that I am at greater risk of being a victim of violence simply because of my gender.
From a young age, my dad taught me that I was equal to my brothers, and the Notorious RBG fought for that equality, yet women are still victimized and marginalized. It is this knowledge and fundamental inequity that fuels my work to help those whose voice has been silenced. As a Regional Attorney Coordinator at Empire Justice Center for the Crime Victims Legal Network, I support the work of crime victim attorneys and advocates, and help crime victims know their rights. I see my work furthering social justice. Crime victims deserve justice. They deserve to get the help and support they need to recover, move forward, and thrive. Crime victims have the right to be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect; to be notified of criminal court proceedings; to receive restitution and compensation for the financial losses they endure as a result of a crime; and to be protected from threats, physical injury, or any intimidation. We work to help crime victims learn about these rights, and we help with their civil legal needs. By helping them find or maintain stable housing and employment, and protect their family, we help them with the essentials of life.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” With her death, Justice Ginsburg passed the baton to all of us to keep leading; to keep fighting; to keep standing up for what is right so that everyone can be treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
If you are curious, read 5 Laws Ruth Bader Ginsburg Championed to Support Gender Equality.