Ruth Bader Ginsburg: noun. a.) Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, appointed by former president Bill Clinton. b.) Internet sensation. c.) See below.
1. She's a champion of women's rights
Justice Ginsburg is known for her zealous views on abortion, contraception and equal rights. When it came to the Hobby Lobby decision, Ginsburg didn't shy away from challenging the court majority's opinion. "Contraceptive protection is something every woman must have access to,"she told Katie Couric in an interview, adding that the Hobby Lobby execs have no right to impose their religious beliefs onto the company's female employees.
2. She's not afraid to indulge a bit
You probably heard about how she was caught snoozing at this year's State of the Union Address. Turns out, Justice Ginsburg had a bit of wine at dinner and was not 100 percent sober during the address. Hey, at least she owned up to it! And speaking of enjoying the finer things in life, she's a big fan of the opera!
3. She is probably more fit than we are
Earlier this week, Ginsburg told MSNBC in an interview that she could do 20 pushups, 10 at a time. She also does some weight-lifting and other stretches with her trainer, according to Vox. Meanwhile... we're in bed eating cookies and procrastinating on homework.
4. The Internet loves her
One songwriter was so inspired by her dissent to the Hobby Lobby decision that he wrote a song about it as a tribute. A New York University law student created a Tumblr in her honor, which is aptly named Notorious R.B.G. Oh, and you'll find a meme or two if you do a quick search on Google...
5. She defies gender norms like nobody's business
There's obviously the fact that she's only the second woman ever to hold a position in this country's highest court system. But what about how she hasn't cooked a meal since 1980? In the same MSNBC interview where she revealed her fitness prowess, Ginsburg said her late husband had done all of the cooking and that her daughter had "decided Mommy should be phased out of the kitchen altogether."
6. She's fervent about her job
Aside from not being afraid to voice her utter objections to the court's decisions, RBG is passionate about her job as a whole. Questions about her potential decision to retire created a buzz in Washington late last year, but Ginsburg quipped that she wasn't going anywhere. "I will do this job as long as I can do it full steam," she told Katie Couric.
7. She sees things realistically
As hopeful as Justice Ginsburg is toward seeing change in the future, she doesn't view the world through rose colored glasses. In her MSNBC interview, she said that the current Congress "is not equipped really to do anything... Someday, we will go back to having the kind of legislature that we should, where members, whatever party they belong to, want to make the thing work and cooperate with each other to see that that will happen."
8. She helps add balance to the demographics and ideologies of the rest of the bench
Aside from being the second woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice, she is the first Jewish female to serve. And in terms of the direction the court leans in, Justice Ginsburg represents the liberal end.
Needless to say, our ultimate life goal is to become RBG. What's your top reason for loving this Supreme Court Justice, collegiettes?