The Incomparable RBG: May Her Memory Be a Revolution

Since the irreplaceable loss of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020, there have been many posts in social media reminding us that a traditional Jewish response to her passing is, "May her memory be a blessing."

This sentiment ties to the fact that the Jewish faith doesn’t focus on the afterlife. We don’t define what happens after life ends; we know what is happening while we are alive – and that’s what is most important. So, when we say, “May her memory be a blessing,” we recognize that those who have passed continue to live on by guiding our actions and values today.

And the ways in which Ginsburg’s life of public service has impacted (and will continue to impact) our world are immeasurable. While the life lessons of RBG could (and do!) fill volumes of books, in the spirit of the Jewish tradition, I’d like to share some of my personal favorites:

Seek Out Your Cheerleaders

Right before he passed at the age of 78, Martin Ginsburg wrote: “My dearest Ruth," he wrote, “You are the only person I have loved in my life, setting aside, a bit, parents and kids, and their kids. And I have admired and loved you almost since the day we first met at Cornell...What a treat it has been to watch you progress to the very top of the legal world.”

Ruth Ginsburg was equally vocal about her husband’s supportive impact on her life and career. During her Supreme Court nomination in 1993, she said, “Marty coached me through the birth of our son, he was the first reader and critic of articles, speeches and briefs I drafted, and he was at my side constantly, in and out of the hospital, during two long bouts with cancer. And I betray no secret in reporting that, without him, I would not have gained a seat on the Supreme Court.”

The takeaway… Everyone needs support to live their best life. Surround yourself with the people who help and encourage you to shine, including family, friends, and colleagues.

But…Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Alone

Even though Ginsburg had many cheerleaders, she was never afraid to express an opinion that went against the grain. As a liberal justice on a majority conservative court, she was often the voice of dissent. She viewed her dissents as a critical exercise in democracy – and part of her commitment to eliminate inequalities and create a more just world for all.

In a New York Times op-ed article in 2016, Ginsburg wrote, “When a justice is of the firm view that the majority got it wrong, she is free to say so in dissent. I take advantage of that prerogative, when I think it important, as do my colleagues.”

The takeaway… Sometimes it might be easier to go with the flow to avoid potential conflict, but the ability to express your opinion well – even when it’s different from everyone else’s in the conversation – is a powerful skill. YOUR idea just might be the key that unlocks a difficult challenge your work team is facing. YOUR words may encourage others to open their minds to new ways of thinking.

You can dissent like Ginsburg by always choosing your words carefully – and staying calm – even in the face of adversity. In the NYT article, she wrote, “When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one's ability to persuade." Believe in your own power, press on, and steadily move past your barriers.

Commit to a Healthy Life

Ginsburg’s trainer, an Army Reserve sergeant, nicknamed her TAN, for “Tough As Nails.” The RBG Workout (which is an actual thing) includes plank poses, squats, and push-ups. Ginsburg gained fame for her bi-weekly routines, which she began after a recovery from cancer in her 60s and continued for two decades well into her 80s. Throughout additional bouts with cancer, broken ribs, and a heart stent, she refused to bail on this commitment to her physical health.

The takeaway… Ginsburg worked her way up to her impressive abilities – proving that consistency and patience make a huge difference. You might not always be up for the most vigorous workout in your regimen, but the most important thing is to keep at it – so that you continue reaping both the physical and mental rewards. Ginsburg’s commitment to turning off her brain and working on her body likely gave her brain a chance to refresh, so she could be “Tough As Nails” in court as well.

Treat Humor as an Essential Life Skill

When lawyer and author Shana Knizhnik (who co-wrote “Notorious R.B.G.: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg”) first met Ginsburg a few days after her heart stent surgery, Knizhnik asked Ginsburg how she was doing – and what Knizhnik could tell her readers. Ginsburg quipped, “Tell them I'll be back doing pushups in a few days."

Ginsburg was famous for her sharp wit, and when Knizhnik later helped make the Notorious R.B. G. a cultural icon with her blog posts and book, Ginsburg leaned into her pop icon status, which saw images of her face on everything from bumper stickers to t-shirts to tattoos. (She even sent a lovely letter to an 8-year old girl who dressed up like the famous judge for “Superhero Day” at school.)

The takeaway…Studies show that humor can improve your mental and physical health, increase happiness and resilience, and improve your leadership skills. Take the time to seek out laughs – whether it’s a 2-minute work break to watch an amusing video or reminiscing about funny memories with friends. And remember you don’t need to BE funny to enjoy your sense of humor. So, even if you’re not the next Jerry Seinfeld, you can easily focus on enjoying and sharing laughs vs. creating them. In these challenging times, adding more laughter to your day can be an especially great form of stress relief – and that’s no joke!

And…ALWAYS Pursue Justice

Let’s circle back to Ginsburg’s Jewish heritage for a moment. In an address to the American Jewish Committee in 1993, Ginsburg said, “The demand for justice runs through the entirety of the Jewish tradition. I hope, in my years on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, I will have the strength and the courage to remain constant in the service of that demand."

And she did. Throughout her distinguished career, Ginsburg was a pioneer for gender equality. She changed the way we understand the law and civil rights, and she was a trailblazing fighter for the rights of all people.

So while I do still love the sentiment of “may her memory be a blessing,” I’m even more inspired by an adaptation of this traditional expression that has also been used to honor Ginsburg since her passing:

“May her memory be a revolution.”

A bit of research revealed that this phrase originated very recently in Israel to honor victims of domestic violence or hate crimes – and has become a way to commemorate the lives of those whose memory calls for us to advocate for a more just world.

And I believe Ginsburg would have agreed wholeheartedly that NOW is not the time for quiet reflection without tangible change. Like so many people around the world, I believe she would have wanted her memory to spur action – ongoing, revolutionary, positive change toward equality and justice.

So yes, let’s remember the incomparable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and reflect on the incredible impact of her life. But even more importantly, let’s live her legacy. Whether you volunteer for (or donate to) an organization that supports social justice, or exercise your right to vote, or make a conscious effort to grow your Diversity & Inclusion dialogue “muscles,” let’s keep inspiring positive, incremental change.

As Ginsburg said, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”

May her memory inspire countless steps. May her memory be a revolution. May we all be a credit to her name.