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I chose Ruth Bader Ginsburg for this project because her impact on American law and gender equality is truly inspiring. As a Supreme Court Justice, and even before, she broke barriers and fought tirelessly for women's rights. By studying an old photo of her, I hope to uncover more about her life, character, and the times she lived in, making her incredible legacy even more tangible.

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For my Profile Project, I conducted primary research on Ruth Bader Ginsburg using an archival photo found on the Library of Congress's website. I have added the multimodal elements that I used to further my knowledge and insight into her life and profession. This approach allowed me to explore Ginsburg’s legacy in both personal and professional contexts.

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Jenkins, R. Michael, photographer. Ruth Bader Ginsburg at her confirmation hearing / R. Michael Jenkins, Congressional Quarterly. [Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, 7-21-93 21 July] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2019630722/>.

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Multimodal Include: Pictures,  Interviews, and Articles. 

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Multimodal Include: Pictures,  Interviews, and Articles. 

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This photo was one up in the ranks when deciding what photo I wanted to use for the Historical Figure profile project.

Taken by R. Michael Jenkins of Congressional Quarterly, a pivotal moment in American legal history Ruth Bader Ginsburg during her Supreme Court confirmation hearing on July 21, 1993. This image is part of the Library of Congress collection and is accessible online at the Library of Congress. Ginsburg's appointment to the Supreme Court was a significant milestone, not only because she was the second woman to ever serve on the Court, but also due to her profound impact on gender equality and civil liberties.

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In an interview conducted by NYU School of Law on July 5, 2016, Justice Ginsburg shared insights into her journey, motivations, and the challenges she faced. She reflected on her decision to pursue law during her junior year at Cornell University, influenced by professors Robert E. Cushman and Milton Konvitz, who highlighted the importance of upholding fundamental values in the era of McCarthyism (an open campaign against alleged communists in the US government and other institutions carried out under Senator Joseph McCarthy in the period 1950–4).

Video/transcript link cited: NYU School of Law. "Oral History: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg." Institute of Judicial Administration Oral History of Distinguished American Judges, NYU School of Law, www.law.nyu.edu/centers/ija-oral-history/ginsburg. Accessed 28 June 2024.

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg | NYU School of Law

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States Interviewed by Dean Trevor Morrison Watch the full video or read the transcript (PDF: 594.31 KB).

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Trial by Adversity Shapes Jurist’s Outlook (Published 1993)

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The Life of the Notorious RBG at a Glance

Gwyneth Johnson

English 1102

Dr. Rochelle Harris Cox

Final Draft- Profile Essay- The Life of the Notorious RBG at a Glance

I was sitting on my couch at home, the soft music from my record player providing comforting background noise. My two cats were my little companions during my research. Gandalf, the youngest, was curled beside me, purring and simultaneously whining for food despite just being fed. My other cat, Blu, slightly older, lay between me and my laptop, his little paws occasionally batting at the keys. My computer was open, set up for me to listen to the NYU Law School Oral History Project on Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the tenth time. The interview between Justice Ginsburg and Dean Trevor Morrison played. Justice Ginsburg's voice was shaky, not because she was unsure but because of her age, I believe, and her words were measured, each one carefully chosen.

In the photograph I’m studying, Ruth Bader Ginsburg stands poised on a small step stool, absorbed in a thick legal text. The backdrop is a wall-to-wall bookshelf, filled with orderly rows of law books that tower over her small frame. Ginsburg is dressed in her judicial robes, highlighting her role and achievements in her field. Her face is serene and focused, embodying the intensity and dedication that defined her career. In one half of the photograph, several framed pictures are nestled among the books, showcasing personal and professional moments—graduations, family gatherings, and historic events. These elements add a personal touch, illustrating the blend of her professional life and personal milestones.

At the bottom left corner of the photograph, a small shelf holds a teddy bear dressed in miniature judicial robes. This playful yet significant detail symbolizes the balance Ginsburg maintained between her challenging professional life and her personal warmth and humanity. The photo captures not just a moment in time but the essence of Ginsburg’s lifelong commitment to justice and equality intertwined with her personal journey.

In her interview, Ginsburg spoke of her early aspirations: "I expected to be, as many girls of my vintage did, a high school teacher. But then I had two professors, one Robert E. Cushman, who taught constitutional law, the other Milton Konvitz, who taught American ideals." As Ruth spoke about her professors' influence, I glanced back at the photograph. The image was reflective of her dedication, with personal touches that surrounded her—a teddy bear in judicial robes on a nearby shelf and photographs of significant moments and figures in her life. It was in this moment, surrounded by my home life, that I realized the theme of persistence against societal norms. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's journey from a young woman facing discrimination to a Supreme Court Justice fighting for equality was represented in this theme. The photograph captured her commitment and resilience, while the interview provided context and depth to her story.

My partner came home. "Do you want anything to eat for dinner?" they asked, knowing I hadn't eaten since lunch. I paused the interview, closed my laptop, and at that moment, Gandalf ran up to him and started whining at his feet for dinner, signaling that it was time for a break.

I took my notes and settled by the pool, the bright sunlight creating a perfect environment for deep reflection. From 9 AM to 1 PM, I had the pool area to myself, with the sun shining and myself reading. It was a peaceful environment, perfect for getting into Ginsburg's history.

The first time I heard about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I was around 12 or 13 years old. My mom had just introduced me and my younger brothers to the concept of gender equality and the significant figures who fought for it. Among the names mentioned, Ruth Bader Ginsburg stood out to me. Her story resonated deeply with my growing interest in history and justice. As I grew older, my admiration for her only grew, especially after watching the movie "On the Basis of Sex." The film showcased her relentless fight against gender discrimination and her incredible journey to becoming a Supreme Court Justice. Her story resonated with me deeply, and I became a fan of all the work she had done.

I remember the sense of awe I felt learning about her relentless fight against gender discrimination. She had faced countless obstacles and yet emerged as a trailblazer in the legal world, leaving an unforgettable mark on the fight for equality.

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The article I read was titled "Trial by Adversity Shapes Jurist's Outlook" from The New York Times. It painted a vivid portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, capturing her complex persona and the public's curiosity about her character. "Long before Justice Byron R. White announced his retirement, President Clinton spoke of wanting a Supreme Court nominee with a big heart. And in the 11 days since he chose Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the questions most often asked about her have to do with her heart: whether she is steely or just cold, a passionate fighter or a dry proceduralist, aloof or simply shy."

The photograph, with its details and symbolism, served as a reminder of her legacy and the impact she had. Ginsburg's legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her ability to overcome societal norms and fight for what she believed in made her a true icon.

As I read through the article, I was struck by the various facets of Ginsburg's character described by her friends and colleagues and looked back at the photo for reference, focusing on the memorabilia. There was a feeling of nostalgia that hit me. "Among friends and colleagues, including people who have known her since she was Kiki Bader, their pretty blond bunkmate at Camp Che-Na-Wah in the Adirondacks, there is no debate about the goodness of her spirit or the size of her intellect." This personal touch made me smile, imagining the young Ruth Bader Ginsburg full of potential and yet to face the formidable challenges ahead. The article detailed her early life and the significant adversities she had faced, including the death of her mother and the discrimination she encountered as a woman in the legal profession. These experiences had shaped her into the determined and meticulous jurist she had become. "They speculate that her skin has been much thickened, her personality made more serious by the adversities she has overcome: the death of her mother when she was in high school, the indignities of being a woman trying to crack the male legal establishment in the 1950s, and the challenge of fighting sexually discriminatory laws in the 1970s." I found this fascinating; the way life’s challenges had shaped her character. The article went on to describe how her skin had thickened over the years due to the adversities she faced: "As long as they have known her, friends and colleagues say, Judge Ginsburg has been meticulous and deliberate, someone who liberally sprinkles pauses into what she says, who drives cautiously, who eats painstakingly slowly and in small bites."

The photograph, with its details and symbolism, served as a reminder of her legacy and the impact she had. Ginsburg's legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her ability to overcome societal norms and fight for what she believed in made her a true icon.

In the photograph, Ruth Bader Ginsburg stands in her judicial robe, reading a book with towering bookshelves filled with legal texts. The setting feels like her office or a law library, where the shelves are decorated with photographs of significant moments and figures in her life. These elements highlight her deep connection to the law and her personal life. The photos in the background serve as a testament to her memorable career and personal milestones, reflecting the theme of persistence against societal norms as she navigated and reshaped the legal landscape.

Sally J. Kenney's article, "Gender and Judging," published in the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, looks at the unique perspectives that female judges, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, bring to the judiciary. Kenney argues that Ginsburg's early experiences with gender discrimination deeply influenced her legal philosophy, leading her to adopt a practical and empathetic approach to judicial decisions. Kenney states, “Ginsburg’s experiences with gender bias in her early career gave her a profound understanding of the practical implications of discriminatory laws, influencing her to adopt a pragmatic and empathetic approach to legal interpretation” (Kenney 85). This perspective allowed Ginsburg to craft legal arguments that were both logically sound and emotionally compelling, making her an effective advocate for gender equality.

Kenney’s analysis shows how Ginsburg’s personal experiences with discrimination were not just obstacles but also sources of insight that shaped her professional journey. This perspective aligns with my primary research, where I identified Ginsburg's persistence against societal norms as a key theme. Kenney’s point about Ginsburg’s empathetic and practical approach to legal interpretation explains why she was so effective in advocating for gender equality. This dual approach made her a strong advocate in the courtroom and a compassionate judge on the bench. Understanding this connection between Ginsburg's personal experiences and her professional strategies deepens my appreciation for her contributions to the legal field and highlights the importance of empathy in judicial decision-making.

Jane Sherron De Hart’s biography, "Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life in the Law," published in the Harvard Law Review, provides an in-depth look at Ginsburg’s life and career, emphasizing the interplay between her personal experiences and her professional advocacy. De Hart explores how Ginsburg’s struggles with balancing family and career influenced her legal philosophy and her advocacy for workplace equality and family leave policies. She writes, “Ginsburg’s own experiences with the dual pressures of career and family responsibilities made her acutely aware of the need for legal protections that accommodate working women” (De Hart 432). The biography details how Ginsburg's personal life, particularly her role as a mother and wife, informed her understanding of the legal challenges faced by women in the workforce.

De Hart’s biography emphasizes the significance of Ginsburg’s personal experiences in shaping her legal advocacy, particularly her efforts to balance family and career. This aspect of Ginsburg’s life is crucial to understanding her comprehensive approach to gender equality. De Hart’s insights complement Kenney’s analysis by providing a detailed account of how Ginsburg’s personal life informed her professional goals. Ginsburg’s firsthand experience with the challenges faced by working mothers gave her a unique perspective on the necessity of legal protections for women. This connection between personal struggle and professional advocacy highlights the depth of Ginsburg’s commitment to creating a more equitable society. De Hart’s biography thus adds a personal dimension to Ginsburg’s legal philosophy, showing how her life experiences fueled her passion for justice and equality.

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On the one hand, Sally J. Kenney emphasizes the impact of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s early career challenges on her empathetic and practical legal philosophy. On the other hand, Jane Sherron De Hart highlights the influence of Ginsburg’s personal life, especially her efforts to balance family and career, on her advocacy for workplace equality. My own view is that these perspectives are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. While Kenney's analysis underscores the professional challenges that shaped Ginsburg’s judicial approach, De Hart’s biography provides a deeper understanding of how Ginsburg’s personal experiences informed her advocacy work. Together, these sources illustrate a complete picture of Ginsburg as both a product of her experiences and a proactive agent of change in the legal landscape. This combined view enriches my understanding of how Ginsburg’s unique blend of empathy, pragmatism, and personal insight made her a transformative figure in the fight for gender equality.

Through my research, I have come to appreciate the profound impact of personal experiences on one’s professional path, especially in the realm of legal advocacy. Ginsburg’s story shows how facing and overcoming discrimination can fuel a lifelong commitment to justice and equality. Her practical and empathetic approach to the law, as highlighted by Kenney, combined with her personal advocacy for workplace equality, as detailed by De Hart, shows the powerful mix of personal experience and professional dedication. The photograph I studied captures this balance, with the personal touches in her office showing the balance she maintained between her roles. Ginsburg’s ability to draw from her personal experiences to inform her legal philosophy and advocacy work is inspiring and offers valuable lessons for understanding the broader impacts of individual experiences on professional contributions.

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"Photograph of Ruth Bader Ginsburg." Library of Congress, taken by Nancy Lee Katz, 22 July 1994, https://www.loc.gov/item/2022630265/.

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Works Cited

Greenhouse, Linda. “Trial by Adversity Shapes Jurist's Outlook.” The New York Times, 25 June 1993, https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/25/us/trial-by-adversity-shapes-jurist-s-outlook.html.

Kenney, Sally J. "Gender and Judging." American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, vol. 18, no. 1, 2010, pp. 81-105.

De Hart, Jane Sherron. "Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life in the Law." Harvard Law Review, vol. 112, no. 2, 1999, pp. 428-454.

NYU School of Law. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg: In Her Own Words.” Institute of Judicial Administration Oral History, NYU School of Law, https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/ija-oral-history/ginsburg.

"Photograph of Ruth Bader Ginsburg." Library of Congress, taken by Nancy Lee Katz, 22 July 1994, https://www.loc.gov/item/2022630265/.