What a privilege it was to be able to say "I live through the Ruth Bader Ginsburg era", when she was in her prime and making waves, and leaving her mark on the world for us all to admire, and to learn from and to benefit from her greatness.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an OG Mother Hustler and she is my hero.
It’s not often I stop to think about all the ways in which my “heroes” have directly impacted my life, but when it comes to the Notorious RBG, it’s easy. I’m blown away by all that she has done for women, and for the simple privileges I take advantage of every day to live the full life I have.
Ladies, we have Justice Ruth Ginsburg to thank if:
You played a sport in school
You have a bank account in your own name
You have a credit card in your own name and your own credit history
You signed your own mortgage or leased an apartment
You consented to your own medical treatment
You are pregnant/have kids and work
...Just to name a few, and the list goes on. These are just a sprinkling of the 100s of ways RBG helped advance women and Women’s Rights, and equality and justice for all.
I’ve read it a few times all over the interwebs but this quote about Justice Ginsberg is one of the best I’ve found to sum up her impact on my life, and the lives of many:
“Every single woman stands on the shoulders of this tiny giant, every second of every day; there are not enough thanks in the world for Justice Ginsburg.”
I couldn’t agree more.
And as I think about my own legacy, the one I work on every single day, I’m grateful that I have women leaders like Justice Ginsburg, to look up to. We need more women leaders, and more women stepping in to their power. So, what are you waiting for?
I strongly believe that in order to keep these legacies going strong, and to continue to build upon the momentum and groundwork that women like RBG has laid, we must continue to take action and step into our power. And we must never take advantage of our positions of privilege and/or our right to VOTE. VOTE like your life, and the lives around you and the ones that are coming after you, depend on it, because it does.
Always remember: We are the leaders we've been waiting for.
xx, Danielle