As Ruth Bader Ginsburg Turns 84, Revisit Her Greatest Moments From The Past Year
Image by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
By Talya Zax March 15, 2017
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent the last few years rocketing to pop culture stardom, as well as, you know, serving as a Supreme Court Justice. We loved her when, at 81, she admitted that she gave away “Notorious RBG” shirts as gifts. We loved her when, that same year, she introduced us to her “dissenting collar.” And we loved her when, a month before her 83rd birthday, she paid homage to her across-the-aisle friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia following his death.
Our adoration reached new heights in her 84th year, so much that we took the heinous step of beseeching her to eat more kale. It’s her birthday, so we hope she’s celebrating with something slightly more, uh, exciting than leafy greens — just this once! — while we celebrate by remembering her greatest cultural moments from her 84th year.
1) When she made her speaking operatic debut
In a one-night-only performance, Ginsburg played the Duchess of Krakenthorpe in the Washington National Opera’s “Daughter of the Regiment.” How did she do? As The Washington Post’s Anne Midgette reported, the audience roared for Ginsburg — multiple times.
2) When we got a sneak peek at her grueling workout routine
In addition to eating her kale, how does RGB stay fit? Politico’s Ben Schreckinger investigated the justice’s training regimen, and came out with words of reassurance for her many fans. “After going through one of her workouts I can confirm she could not be in better hands,” he wrote. “Sore, disoriented and cranky, I didn’t feel a day over 65.”
3) When she helped give Shakespeare’ Shylock a fair trial — finally
To mark the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Venice Jewish ghetto, the justice trotted off to Italy, where she acted as one of a team of judges presiding over a mock trial of the Bard’s most famous — and most maligned — Jewish character. As A.J. Goldmann reported for the Forward, Ginsburg made sure the proceedings were orderly and clear, but also a little irreverent. Did she decide in Shylock’s favor? Only Goldmann (and, ok, Google) can say.
4) When she became the namesake of a praying mantis
Just another notch in her jabot: Last spring, researchers at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History named a newly-discovered breed of praying mantis after Ginsburg, calling it Ilomantis ginsburgæ. (We prefer Ruth Bader Gins-bug.) Why did they choose Ginsburg as a namesake? The insect has a lace-like neckplate that reminded the researchers of Ginsburg’s best-loved accessory, the decorative collar.
5) When she sent this charming note to a young girl who dressed up as her
When eight-year-old Michele Threefoot made internet waves for dressing up as Ginsburg for her school’s “Super Hero” day, Ginsburg noticed — and, in a heartwarming response, sent Threefoot a handwritten note of appreciation. “Dear Michele,” she gushed, “You look just like me!”
6) When she shared her wisdom with the world
This past fall, Ginsburg published “My Own Words,” a collection of some of her most important writings and speeches. Ginsburg’s incisive opinions and winking witticisms make for an inspirational, challenging read — just what we’ve come to expect from her.
So when did we not love Ginsburg? This author recently attended a performance of the Washington National Opera, and hoped to see her there. She saw Newt Gingrich instead. RBG, how could you betray her like that?
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
