NDIA salutes the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

NDIA and Women in Defense (WID) mourns the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and extends condolences to her family, friends, and all those impacted by her legacy.  She was a warrior for women, known for fighting for gender equality, civil liberties, and pay equity. 

Nominated to the highest court in 1993 Justice Ginsburg wrote her first major opinion when she struck down the Virginia Military Institute’s 157-year-old male-only admissions policy as unconstitutional.  She wrote, “reliance on overbroad generalizations ... estimates about the way most men or most women are, will not suffice to deny opportunity to women whose talent and capacity place them outside the average description.”  

Justice Ginsburg became the second woman to serve on the court after serving a career as a trailblazing litigator and strategist working for women’s rights in the 1970s. She argued six cases before the Supreme Court, winning five. Her first argument in 1973 challenged a federal benefits law that treated married female members of the armed forces less favorably than their male counterparts.  She argued laws that make distinctions based on sex should be subjected to the toughest form of review to determine if they are constitutional. 

As Chief Justice Roberts said, “our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature.” Justice Ginsburg’s contributions are seen throughout society touching the defense industry and our nation.  Her pioneering spirit opened the doors for many of our nation’s best and brightest. NDIA and WID are thankful for her lasting contributions.