It began like this:

I heard some things.  I read some things.  I liked those things.  I learned some more.  And now I, like countless others, proudly declare my admiration and respect for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Back in March, my husband and I visited the Skirball Cultural Center to see the exhibition Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  I was in awe of all this remarkable woman has accomplished, and I was astounded by all that I didn’t know.

We then watched the RBG documentary, and my interest continued growing. 

Now I just finished reading Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik.

You can read the book, watch the film, and learn the facts.  But here are a few things that are staying with me:

1. This woman doesn’t stop.  No matter what.  Two bouts with cancer.  The death of her husband.  She still keeps going, keeps fighting.  Going to work, fighting for equality. 
2. Looks can be deceiving.  Upon first glance, you may think RBG is just a small little woman.  Don’t be fooled.  She’s powerful in mind, body, and spirit.  (The woman works out with a personal trainer twice a week.)
3. Theirs was a beautiful marriage, a union of true partners.  (RBG’s husband, Marty, passed away in 2010. They were married for 56 years and knew each other for 60.)
4. RBG always sees the bigger picture:  “I think gender discrimination is bad for everyone, it’s bad for men, it’s bad for children.  Having the opportunity to be part of that change is tremendously satisfying.  Think of how the Constitution begins.  ‘We the people of the united States in order to form a perfect union.’  But we’re still striving for that more perfect union.  And one of the perfections is for the ‘we the people’ to include an ever enlarged group.”