After the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburgh, the second woman to be on the Supreme Court, I wanted to talk to other women around Allderdice to see how they were feeling. Her death struck me pretty hard. She showed so many women their worth and gave them a voice many didn’t know they had. I knew others would be feeling the same. Below is a collection of words about RBG and the effect that she had on women at Allderdice. Reading these quotes will only give a small insight into the importance of RBG. 

“RBG was always a sense of security for me because I knew at least one person on the Supreme Court was attempting to uphold the rights of oppressed people in the United States. Her death is a tragedy and a wakeup call to keep fighting for what is right.” -Hannah Kobee, 12th grader

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg chose a challenging path but by choosing that path, she paved the way for girls like me. She taught me that standing up for myself does not make me ‘too emotional’ or ‘dramatic’. Women can do just as much as men. Her work is up to us to complete.” -Sofia Wynn, 12th grader 

“RBG was one of my main idols. There was and is no one else in government who I felt was representing me like she was. Knowing someone like her had the power she had, made me feel protected and safe.” -Naomi Kitchen, 12th Grader 

“RBG was an inspiration and she was not afraid to speak her opinions, even when contradicting others’ thoughts. Throughout her time as a Supreme Court justice, I noticed the difference she made regarding gender equality. She took action and was a strong voice. RBG never gave up!” -Erin Klein, 11th Grader 

“RBG was an inspiration to me, her selfless dedication to her career which touched the lives of millions of women in America. She embodied so many qualities I aspire to attain in my future and in my career. She will be missed.” -Hannah Hagley, 11th grader 

“RBG embodies what it means to be strong. This woman changed the game for all women forever. She fought her whole life. She stands her ground in the face of sexism, and she never backed down from her dreams. As a Jewish woman, she inspires me to be proud of my identity and to make an impact. RBG will live on forever.” -Lena Rothschild, 11th grader 

“She made me feel important and like I mattered” -Ana Vazquez, 12th Grader 

“RBG are three letters that stand for unlimited amounts of dreams and opportunities. She was a role model for women and for their goals, including my own. I’m proud of her for staying true to herself and to her own dreams. We miss her very much.” -Jennifer Lin, 10th grader 

“RBG’s resilience was a symbol of hope. She was a champion of gender and racial equality, and there are so many things that we take for granted that we couldn’t even dream of having without her fight and struggle. May her memory be a revolution.” -Maya Royston, 12th grader 

“RBG was and should remain an inspiration to everyone, regardless of gender or political affiliation. RBG was exactly what a justice should be. She was fair, outspoken, impartial, and fearless, hearing every side of an argument and doing what was best for the people. Whether she was writing the majority opinion, or the only person on the minority, she did what was fair and just and never backed down from a fight. I believe if everyone approached issues the way she did, this world would be a significantly better place, and we should all fight to protect her legacy.” -Michaela Krasik, 12th grader 

“RBG was such a strong woman who fought for women’s rights and I will always be thankful for her hard work and the example she set for so many young girls.” -Isabelle Hagley, 10th Grader 

“RBG is one of the most inspiring people I think our world will ever encounter. She worked so hard to make such big changes in our system and I will forever be grateful for her. I believe her contributions to equality and civil rights were incomparable to any other Supreme Court Justice.” -Thea Crossett, 12th Grader 

“RBG, I think, was one of those people that kept giving me hope in this time of politics. Knowing her beliefs on women, abortion, race and many other things I knew that with her role in the Supreme Court she would make the right decisions and represent my point of view. Losing her was extremely hard not only losing her but her place and role in the supreme court.” -Lilah Sahud, 10th Grader 

“When I found out that RBG passed, it kind of felt like it could have been the last straw for me (politically speaking). I think, to me, she represented someone in government who I could count on to protect my interests, which is so powerful. Even though she was a remote figure, she felt familiar to me, not only because I aspired to be like her—well-spoken, determined, steadfast— but because I felt like I could trust her to consistently fight for my reproductive and civil rights when nobody else would.” -Anna Cappella, 12th Grader

“To me RBG meant choice and progression. She was a woman in power, who could control a room. I think she represented why women should be in power!” -A’Niyah Monique, 12th Grader

“I think RBG meant a lot to many women for she paved the way for our voices to be heard and our rights valued. She made history for women in the workplace as well as on a personal level and because of her I feel more confident in my abilities to stick up for myself.” -Gwen Connor, 12th Grader

“I think RBG was more than a political leader but rather a symbol of strength. She definitely inspired me to push myself and I feel it’s the duty of all women to keep her legacy alive.” -Jordyn Gluzman, 12th Grader 

“She was a trailblazer for women’s rights. Aside from the political noise it’s important to recognize the sacrifices she made in order to pave the way for women and for other minority groups and to honor what she has done, her life’s work.” -Ms. Halloran, US Government Teacher 

“RBG was my hero and role model.  Her tireless work in championing women’s, and men’s rights too, throughout her life was quiet, steadfast, and oh so mighty and life empowering to all of us.  I feel like we have lost a protector of our rights, the court, the law, and right now a lot of hope in preserving what she fought so hard to achieve.  But thank you RBG; it is your time to rest.  And now, it is our turn to ensure that what you fought for and won for us is not lost.  The baton has been passed—we need to stand up, vote, and push even harder for fairness, equality to all, and voices to be heard.” -Ms. Price, World History teacher