Opinion: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life reflected in new film documentary By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.18.18 Word Count 908 Level 820L A scene from "RBG," a documentary about the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.Photo by: Magnolia Pictures Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the star of a new documentary film about her called "RBG." Those are her initials. In the film, Ginsburg and her granddaughter Clara Spera look over a collection of letters. Ginsburg's late husband, Marty, collected the letters for her. Marty asked his wife's admirers to write letters about her on her 50th birthday. His own letter said Ginsburg could take great pride in what she has done as a lawyer and judge but there is "no way you take greater pride than I do." Spera asks her grandmother, "Do you read these often?" Ginsburg doesn't look up when she says, "No, I never read them." This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1
"You should. They're very nice," Spera says. "If you ever need a boost of selfconfidence." Ginsburg's Rise To Fame Seems unlikely. Self-confidence is a characteristic a woman like Ginsburg must already have. She was born in the 1930s and was the first in her family to go to college. She was one of nine women among a Harvard Law School class of more than 500 and the second female to be named a justice on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. Now, she is known as the Notorious R.B.G. and she has created a whole new way for the public to see a Supreme Court justice. The new documentary adds to the fame. However, it also reveals how she became so popular and why it's unexpected, given her life before the meme. The meme shows Ginsburg wearing a crown like rapper Notorious B.I.G. The image is a nod to the important, and sometimes rebellious, work Ginsburg has done as a top judge. Ginsburg had to ask who the rapper was, though. Rebellious Nature Now, "everyone wants to take a picture with me," the 85-year-old Ginsburg said. All the speaking engagements and interviews have given her a chance to speak about many hotly debated topics. Meanwhile, some do not appreciate this. They believe Supreme Court justices should not speak their opinions in the media. They think they should only express their views in the official writing justices do for court cases, called opinions. "RBG" is the documentary work of Betsy West and Julie Cohen. It came out in theaters on May 4. There's also a popular Tumblr fan blog and a children's book. She is played on "Saturday Night Live" regularly. Her face is on coffee cups and T-shirts. "She has become perhaps the best-known justice in the history of the court," said Michael Yelnosky of the Roger Williams University School of Law. Ginsburg spoke there in February, one of her 13 speeches so far in 2018. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2
Ginsburg has become an important feminist figure. People look up to her because she fights for women to receive equal rights as men. With this in mind, there may be a surprise in the documentary for some. The man in her life, her husband Marty, who died in 2010, was very important to her. A Feminist Wife And Mother At the Washington film premiere, TV star Michelle Hurd rose during the questionand-answer time with the filmmakers. She addressed Ginsburg. "Thank you so much, if I could, Notorious R.B.G.," Hurd said. "For not only your service but for the love story that you shared." At Cornell University, she met Marty when she was 17. He was a year older. She said he was the first boy she'd gone out with "who cared that I had a brain." "Meeting Marty was by far the most fortunate thing that ever happened to me," she says in the film. They married when Ginsburg finished college. They had two children, Jane and James. Ginsburg believes women can have it all, but perhaps not all at the same time. She joined her husband at Harvard Law School. However, when he graduated and found work on Wall Street, she followed him to New York City to finish her final year at Columbia University. Marty concentrated on becoming one of the city's top tax lawyers. Ruth did most of the work at home. The Fight For Women's Rights Then came a time when many sought fair treatment for women in work and social settings. Ginsburg became one of the biggest supporters in this fight for women's rights. Ginsburg worked at the American Civil Liberties Union, a group that fights for the equal rights of all citizens. Both she and Marty saw how she could help. Their roles switched. Ginsburg argued six cases at the Supreme Court aimed at laws treating men and women differently. She won five. Ruth Bader Ginsburg says in the film that her work became their first concern. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3
Ginsburg landed on the Supreme Court in 1993, after Marty mounted another letter-writing effort. He wanted President Bill Clinton to pick his wife for justice, and Clinton did. Popular Among Younger Women After Marty's death, she grieved. Then Ginsburg threw herself back into work. The respect for her among college students, particularly women, rose almost overnight. In addition to standing up for what she believes in, Ginsburg has a good sense of humor, the filmmaker Cohen said. The filmmakers showed Ginsburg clips of Kate McKinnon playing her on "SNL." McKinnon wears huge glasses, a black robe and white collar. "It's marvelously funny," Ginsburg says. Does it remind you of yourself, she's asked. "Not one bit," Ginsburg replies. She pauses for her own comedic timing. "Except for the collar," she says. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4
Quiz 1 One MAIN idea of the article is that a new film explores Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life. What is another MAIN idea of the article? Ginsburg has become an important figure for her work on women's rights. Ginsburg did not know the name of the rapper that her nickname came from. Ginsburg's granddaughter helped her read a collection of letters from admirers. Ginsburg's interviews have given her a chance to speak about many debated topics. 2 Read the summary of the article's MAIN ideas. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become popular for her confidence and hard work. Ginsburg broke many barriers about what women could do at the time. Which answer choice would complete the summary? She has shared many of her opinions with the media. She worked at the American Civil Liberties Union. Her husband also went to law school and then found work in New York City. Her relationship with her husband and his support were important throughout her life. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5
3 Read the selection from the section "Ginsburg's Rise To Fame." She was born in the 1930s and was the first in her family to go to college. She was one of nine women among a Harvard Law School class of more than 500 and the second female to be named a justice on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. How did Ginsburg experience school and work differently from most women at the time? Most women did not go to law school or become justices. Most women had a lot of other girls in their classes. Most women had mothers who had gone to college. Most women were more confident about school. 4 Read the selection from the section "Popular Among Younger Women." McKinnon wears huge glasses, a black robe and white collar. "It's marvelously funny," Ginsburg says. Does it remind you of yourself, she's asked. "Not one bit," Ginsburg replies. She pauses for her own comedic timing. "Except for the collar," she says. What does the author want the reader to think about Ginsburg? She should not wear a collar. She would be a good actress. She has a good sense of humor. She is tired of being made fun of. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 6