Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Female judge symbolizing American justice

Now 85, despite health concerns, she has yet to make plans to retire. But behind the scenes, a race to replace her has been heating up between Republicans and Democrats battling for the majority on the Court.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a young woman in the 1980s. Source: New Republic

JUDGE OF THE PEOPLE

The public is probably wondering why a female Supreme Court justice has such a strong influence and is so loved by the American people. Remember when Judge Bader Ginsburg recently fell and was hospitalized, the American community and people were constantly concerned about her health. And the answer is very simple, this 85-year-old woman, no matter the circumstances, even in her old age, has always persevered with the commitments to fairness and equality that she has long pursued.

Born on March 15, 1933, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, Joan Ruth Bader (her maiden name) was the daughter of Jewish immigrants. With her mother's encouragement, Ruth became an excellent student at James Madison High School. In 1954, she graduated from Cornell University in New York and married Marty Ginsburg, then a lawyer, becoming Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Two years later, in 1956, Bader was one of nine women enrolled at Harvard Law School. She then transferred to Columbia Law School in New York with a bachelor’s degree at the age of 26. Although she was always among the top students, Bader had difficulty finding a job after graduation. The reason was that companies were always wary of her simply because she was a woman, had children, and was of Jewish descent. Perhaps such injustices gradually grew, becoming the driving force for her determination to defend justice and fairness later on.

In 1963, Bader became a professor at Rutgers Law School. By 1973, she was head of the legal department of the Women's Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union.

Her career continued to flourish when in 1980, she was appointed to the District of Columbia Court at the age of 47. She was then appointed to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit by President Jimmy Carter that same year.

The turning point in Ms. Bader's life and career was in 1993, when President Bill Clinton nominated her to the Supreme Court as Associate Justice. Ms. Bader Ginsburg officially became the second woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court, after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Not only that, she was also the first Jewish person to be appointed to this important position. Like a "fish in water", Ms. Bader began the fight for women's rights and social equality.

Throughout her career, she has worked to eliminate many injustices and legal and professional barriers for women, including pushing for the passage of Same-Sex Marriage in all 50 states in the US in June 2015.

In 1999, the American Bar Association awarded her the Thurgood Marshall Award for her contributions to the movement for gender equality, civil rights, and social justice. Her life and career were even made into a Hollywood movie with the role of the female judge played by famous actress Natalie Portman.

The battle for empty seats

However, while Ruth Bader herself has no plans to retire, and has not allowed the fight for equality to stop, American politics is quietly competing for the vacant seat if she leaves. The dispute began when in early August, Bader unfortunately discovered a tumor in her pancreas that threatened her health, forcing her to be hospitalized for treatment. Appearing in public after 3 weeks of treatment, Bader recently tried to smile and wave while continuing to affirm that she will continue to maintain her current job as long as she maintains her mental strength. She has also hired a legal secretary to support her until 2020.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court as President Bill Clinton looked on. Source: New Republic

It should be noted that up to now, the US Supreme Court has always maintained 8 judges and 1 chief justice in office, these figures can work for life. However, according to observers, in case female judge Ruth Bader decides to retire or her health does not allow her to continue working, President Donald Trump will have the opportunity to appoint a third conservative judge after two judges Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

Obviously, this will be a favorable opportunity for Mr. Trump to reform the Court in a more conservative direction. It also means that President Trump's plan to increase the control of the conservative faction in the Supreme Court is gradually being realized. Both Republicans and Democrats understand that a conservative figure, if chosen to replace Judge Ruth Bader, will strongly shift to the conservative majority (6-3), which the Democratic Party will be completely disadvantageous in limiting the control of the Republican faction. And this will be a "nightmare" for the Democrats!

Judge Ruth Bader is admired by the American people for her fight for justice and equality. Source: AP

According to some sources, a list of potential replacements for Ruth Bader has been drawn up, and preliminary evaluations are underway. However, the reality is that the chances for Democratic candidates are slim. This means that the US Supreme Court, once it loses the “equal rights queen” Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will change its personnel according to the political leanings of its leader. Inevitably, the policies of the country’s highest court will be significantly impacted for decades to come!