In the wake of her death, safeguarding liberty has never been more crucial.

Growing up on East 9th Street in Brooklyn, Ruth Bader Ginsburg “always thought she was entitled to anything available to any other human of any gender.” Linda Hirshman, author of the dual biography Sisters in Law, said this, describing Ginsburg’s progression to the highest judicial court in the United States. Her renowned career path is evident in the wake of her death with many citing her landmark Supreme Court decisions and quips to the press. However, it was the little moments that defined Ginsburg and her legacy.

Before graduating high school, Ginsburg worked to send her older brother to college after the death of her mother due to cervical cancer. After graduating first in her class from Cornell University, Ginsburg attended Harvard Law School, trekking to the basement of the classroom building to the only ladies’ room after lectures.

She was thus dubbed the Notorious R.B.G. Spanning across her career, Ginsburg founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Women’s Rights Project, was the first female law professor at Columbia, and the second female Supreme Court justice.

Ginsburg’s death due to metastatic pancreatic cancer was announced Sept. 18, casting a shroud of despair over an already difficult year. Many took to the streets or to their tweets to pay tribute to a leader that defined generations of progress for women.

Before her induction into SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States), Ginsburg used her position at the ACLU to file and successfully win her first national case, Reed v. Reed. The 1971 Supreme Court case followed a divorced husband and wife engaged in a property ownership battle. Ultimately, the court decided that discrimination based on sex was unconstitutional according to the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Ginsburg wrote Sally Reed’s brief for the case, and the decision is known as the first major case to address sex discrimination.

Once officially inducted in 1993, RBG became a leader of the liberal wing of the Supreme Court. Notable decisions include United States v. Virginia in which she once again reiterated the unconstitutional nature of gender discrimination at Virginia’s Military Institute. Beyond equality of the sexes, Ginsburg was known for her unwavering support of immigrants and minorities, protecting affirmative action policies in Grutter v. Bollinger. 

Most importantly, despite growing up in an age when it was considered unladylike to pursue such a male dominated profession, RBG persevered and continued to dissent to injustice. As Ginsburg said, “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”

It has been troubling that in the wake of her death, many self-declared progressives have come out on social media condemning RBG for previous decisions, declaring she wasn’t the feminist role model liberals declared her to be. They cite 2016 comments when RBG criticized Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem as well as voting for the Keystone Pipeline and therefore jeopardizing Native American land.

It is, of course, necessary to critically examine each political figure to ensure we are cognizant of potential corruption or injustice. However, to argue that few controversial actions should overshadow a 50 plus year career of advancing women’s rights is extreme. No matter one’s political leanings, RBG completely changed the dynamic of SCOTUS and safeguarded individual rights. Yes, it is important we examine mistakes from a historical lens, but we also must honor changemakers and respect their legacy.

In July when she was hospitalized for an infection, Ginsburg expressed her desire to not leave a vacancy in the court before another president is elected. Now, with less than two months until the election, Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump are pushing to nominate a new justice. 

RBG’s demise has long-lasting implications regarding judiciary rulings for the next generations. During her tenure, the court generally had a 5-4 conservative majority when making rulings, with Justice John Roberts being the most neutral of the Republican-appointed justices. 

The induction of a conservative judge by Trump could spell lasting repercussions for reproductive rights, racial equality, and Obamacare, which is sent to be ruled on a week after Election Day. The average amount of time it has taken for current Supreme Court justices’ nominations to be confirmed is 79 days with RBG having been the quickest induction at 50. Although there is only 41 days until the election, even if Democratic nominee Joe Biden is elected, the Republican-dominated Senate could have enough votes to confirm a Trump nominee before Inauguration Day in January. While key seats are up for grabs, polls have the Republican party holding onto their majority in the Senate.

There is a certain feeling of despair, realizing the lasting implications of a single woman’s death. Yes, RBG was a fierce hard worker, guardian of liberties, and role model for women and men alike. However, no matter how great her legacy, the unrest and urgency that has resulted from her demise exemplifies perhaps one of the biggest turning points in modern-day America. Despite the pressure and trepidation that comes with this, we must keep battling.

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Remember her words. Vote, speak, fight, and inspire others to do the same.