How RBG changed our lives quietly but effectively.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg knew how to move people in a way I cannot do nearly as well. I am a big voice. I get emotional and outraged easily and often. I have a temper, I snap too soon. I care about injustice as did Ginsberg but in her infinite wisdom she chose to make her cases with contemplative intellect, measured silence, and at the right moment spoke with quiet authority and inspired truth.

When others disagreed with her opinions they still left with their dignity intact having never lost face from being on the other side. Ruth had a gentle way of dealing with her adversary respectfully and without offense and as a result garnered the respect of all.

Unless you are a Supreme Court watcher most of us hear little about the oral arguments and intricacies of the decisions and dissenting opinions that go into each Supreme Court ruling. It is when we delve into them that we are able to see each Justice’s true nature. That is why I challenged myself to read the audiobook, “Ruth Bader Ginsberg’ by Jane Sherron de Hart in July. In the twenty-five hours It took to complete we get to learn about Ruth from childhood to the Supreme Court and look, somewhat, into her brilliant mind and how she processes difficult cases and makes her conclusions from unique but accurate perspectives.

Those who have said she is too liberal could not have gone deeply into the cases to see that she was all about fairness, equality, and speaking truth to power. She did her work quietly but was never was silent.