I don't think there is anyone who hasn't seen the flurry of news since last September, when the oldest serving female judge of the United States sadly passed away. In her 87 years, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known by the acronym RBG, has served her country honorably and in a way that few have been able to do. Whether you're a fan of hers (as I am) or simply want to know more about her notoriety, stick with me for little-known details, some fun facts, overlooked achievements, and some words of appreciation. 

Even now, almost 1 year after his death, RBG's impact is felt among the government. Why do I say this, who was actually the woman behind the original 3, what did she do and how did she influence the perception of feminism? Well, for that I have to give you a little background first:

• Life and career

Ruth dedicated her life to justice, becoming an emblem in the US for the fight against discrimination and holding the title of both a lawyer, a Supreme Court judge and a writer (but that's another story). He drafted numerous laws to allow gender equality to make its way into the courts. Through continuous work, firmness and determination he has consistently engaged in the form of progressive votes on the most important social issues, including abortion rights, same-sex marriage, women's rights, immigration, voting rights and health care. She was a pioneer in this regard among prominent political figures and she was proud of it.

You may be wondering how he was able to produce such a change? Let's take a short trip back in time, back to the '50s - '80s to get to know her better. Her education was extensive: after graduating from Cornell, Ginsburg enrolled at Harvard Law School as one of only 9 women in her class of over 500 years. From then on, the remarks still present today began, with Ruth recounting one particular incident when the dean of the faculty asked her and her colleagues: "How do you justify taking a place from a qualified man?". 

Outright discrimination and sexism disgusted her, and she ended up being banned from certain Harvard libraries on the grounds that she was a woman. That didn't stop her though! On the contrary, it gave her the strength to fight and make her voice heard for all the women before her. Thus, she was once again top of the class and even became the first female member of the Harvard Law Review. 

Unfortunately, in 1956, her husband Marty underwent extensive treatment for cancer, and she not only took care of their daughter alone, but also attended all the classes for both her and Marty. He graduated that same year and joined a firm in New York, where Ruth transferred to Columbia Law School and graduated in 1959. She forged an early legal career on her own despite many job opportunities that she had no part, as most law firms refused to hire women. 

She began as a clerk for Judge Edmund L. Palmieri, and later as a research associate and associate director at Columbia. She later landed a professorship at Rutgers University, where she was again informed that her salary would be reduced compared to her male colleagues. What do you think happened next? RBG along with the other female professors banded together and filed a lawsuit against Rutgers, which they later won. All the while, she had to hide her second pregnancy with his son, James, as women used to be fired if they got pregnant.

He formed his values and personality based on his own experiences, and from this point he vehemently began his mission towards equality!

• Famous cases

The list of cases Ruth has taken on is long and complex, each one having a powerful impact. I will talk about the ones that earned him the nickname "Notorious RBG" and the reputation of "judge of judges":

• In 1971, he brought his first case before the Supreme Court with Reed vs. Reed. It was a divorced couple, their son died, and the mother was denied executorship because she was a woman. RGB argued that women and men should be considered equal performers, which they won!

• If Frontiero v. Richardson, Frontiero, a female second lieutenant in the US Air Force, was unable to claim benefits for her husband because he was male and she was female. Ginsburg argued that this violated the Due Process Clause of the Constitution and won in an 8-1 decision.

• case Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld involved a man whose wife died in childbirth who sought Social Security benefits after her passing so he could care for his son. Because he was a man, a widower, he did not qualify, as the benefits only applied to widows. RBG argued that denying this father his right to Social Security benefits based on his gender was unconstitutional and won in a unanimous decision!

• Edwards v. Healy, presents the case when women were not allowed to sit on juries in Louisiana unless they requested to serve in writing. Ginsburg argued that this violated the Constitution's equal protection clause as well as the due process clause. The Supreme Court struck down the Louisiana law as unconstitutional.

• In the United States v. Virginia, she wrote the court's majority opinion that ruled that government-funded schools did not have to bar access to women. It was ruled that the policy of the Virginia Military Institute violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

• If Olmstead v. LC, the court ruled in favor of two mentally disabled women who were ordered to remain in a secure psychiatric facility. They were evaluated to be able to thrive in a community program, but were denied the opportunity. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of women recognizing the rights of people with disabilities.

• If Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage bans were unconstitutional in a victory for LGBTQ Americans. The ruling legalized same-sex marriage in every state.

• In 2016, in case Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court ruled that state regulations that placed unreasonable restrictions on a woman's right to an abortion, such as HB2, should be struck down.

• Inheritance 

RBG has paved the way for equality and more… she has inspired generations to continue the fight and the respect and appreciation shown to her worldwide is extraordinary. Although she suffered complications from cancer in the last years of her life, Ginsburg served her country and her beliefs until her last breath. Her wish was to remain active until the age of 90 and not be replaced in office until the appointment of the new president (politically, it was not fulfilled). 

Of course, his legacy will live on in history and will always remain enshrined in the famous saying "No truth without Ruth". Check out some of the testimonials left in her memory and which will conclude this article, to convince yourself of the impact she had on society:

"It is absolutely obvious that Justice Ginsburg has become an idol for younger generations."

"As a bailiff and then as a judge, she changed the face of US anti-discrimination law."

"She can boast that she made the law of this country work for women, and in doing so made my career possible."

"Throughout a long career—as a tireless judicial practitioner and incisive jurist—Justice Ginsburg has helped us see that sex discrimination is not about an abstract ideal of equality, but that it has real consequences for all of us. It's about who we are - and who we can be."