Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies From Cancer

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died today, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, after five bouts with cancer. Most recently, she faced a recurrence earlier this year when she underwent a biopsy that showed lesions on her liver.

Ginsburg, age 87, served more than two-and-a-half decades as a Justice, after being appointed in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. She was the second female to serve as a Justice and was the most senior liberal member of the court and was respected by Americans nationwide for voting progressively on hot-button issues, including abortion, same-sex marriage, voting rights, immigration, health care, and affirmative action.

Most notably, Ginsburg wrote an opinion on the court case United States v. Virginia, which held that all-male admissions policy at the Virginia Military Institute – which was state funded – was unconstitutional.

Prior to becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg was an advocate for the American Civil Liberties Union, where she spearheaded landmark legal strategies to ensure that individuals had equal protection, regardless of gender, per the 14th Amendment. Ginsburg is being remembered on social media both in and out of the political world.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a titan of justice. Her jurisprudence expanded the rights of all Americans, shaping our lives for the better. And her example now shines within the history of our country, there to inspire generations,” mayor and former democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said on Twitter.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A model for fairness, rational thought, and progress. She will be missed more than we can yet imagine,” actor, writer, and producer Seth MacFarlane tweeted.

In a press release from the supreme court, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr, said, “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her -- a tireless and resolute champion of justice.”

A private service will be held for Ginsburg at Arlington National Cemetery.