Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks during a 2018 event at Roger Williams University Law School in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Politicians, celebrities and many others took to social media Friday to pay tribute to the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday at age 87 from complications related to pancreatic cancer.
Ginsburg, a political, cultural and feminist icon to many, was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993. She was the second woman appointed to the court, and served more than 27 years.
For more like this
Subscribe to the CNET Now newsletter for our editors’ picks of the most important stories of the day.
“A powerful legal mind and a staunch advocate for gender equality, she has been a beacon of justice during her long and remarkable career,” former president Jimmy Carter posted online. “I was proud to have appointed her to the US Court of Appeals in 1980. We join countless Americans mourning the loss of a truly great woman.”
President Donald Trump released a statement calling her a “titan of the law.”
Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted that “Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG.”
Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 19, 2020
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani called Ginsburg “a credit to the court.
“I disagreed with many of her decisions but they were all well reasoned and well-argued,” he tweeted. “She was a close friend of her ideological opposite, Justice Scalia. They both loved opera, law and the U.S.A. May She Rest In Peace.”
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a credit to the Court.
I disagreed with many of her decisions but they were all well reasoned and well argued.
She was a close friend of her ideological opposite, Justice Scalia.
They both loved opera, law and the U.S.A.
May She Rest In Peace
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) September 18, 2020
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell posted a statement online as well. “The Senate and the nation mourn the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the conclusion of her extraordinary American life.”
The Senate and the nation mourn the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the conclusion of her extraordinary American life.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/NOwYLhDxIk
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) September 19, 2020
Bill and Melinda Gates also paid tribute to Ginsburg.
“Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer who devoted her entire career to fighting for equal justice for women, because she knew it would improve life for everyone,” Bill Gates tweeted. “America is a better place because of her service. I am inspired by her life and legacy.”
Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer who devoted her entire career to fighting for equal justice for women, because she knew it would improve life for everyone. America is a better place because of her service. I am inspired by her life and legacy. https://t.co/hFksGoIXXZ
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) September 19, 2020
“At the core of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s extraordinary life was a simple conviction: ‘Women belong,’ she said, ‘in all places where decisions are being made,'” Melinda Gates tweeted. “She was a brilliant jurist, an inimitable Supreme Court justice, a force for equality and integrity — and she was one of my heroes. There will never be another RBG, but we are a much better, fairer country for all that she gave us.”
She was a brilliant jurist, an inimitable Supreme Court justice, a force for equality and integrity—and she was one of my heroes. There will never be another RBG, but we are a much better, fairer country for all that she gave us.
— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) September 19, 2020
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also commented, “My heart goes out to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family and loved ones. She was a trailblazing jurist, and champion of gender equality and justice for everyone. Her legacy will live on through future generations.”
My heart goes out to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family and loved ones. She was a trailblazing jurist, and champion of gender equality and justice for everyone. Her legacy will live on through future generations.
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) September 19, 2020
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki tweeted, “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, thank you for your legacy. You inspired generations of women, including myself, my sisters & my daughters. Thank you for leading the way and showing all of us that we can work together to uphold justice.”
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, thank you for your legacy. You inspired generations of women, including myself, my sisters & my daughters. Thank you for leading the way and showing all of us that we can work together to uphold justice.
— Susan Wojcicki (@SusanWojcicki) September 19, 2020
“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,” Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York tweeted. “Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 18, 2020
“The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country,” Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont tweeted. “She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history.”
The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country. She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 19, 2020
Feminist writer and social commentator Roxane Gay tweeted, “RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is an immense loss. And the fate of the country should not rest on one woman’s shoulders however giant they were. I’m so sorry for her family and friends.”
RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is an immense loss. And the fate of the country should not rest on one woman’s shoulders however giant they were. I’m so sorry for her family and friends.
— roxane gay (@rgay) September 18, 2020
Captain Marvel actor Brie Larson tweeted, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. Thank you, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We’ll keep pushing our way into all the places we’ve yet to be invited.”
Other Ginsburg fans posted admiration of her and what she meant to them over the years.
The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tragedy for our nation. She was a pioneer, a fighter, and an inspiration. Her name and legacy will be celebrated for as long as America endures. May she Rest In Peace and may our thoughts be with her family and many friends.
— Laurene Powell Jobs (@laurenepowell) September 18, 2020
I am gutted. Words cannot express how much Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg meant to me. Her impact is almost too great to describe in plain words. Please honor her legacy of protecting the rights of women and minorities by voting this November. pic.twitter.com/cUaq8vTsfY
— sophia elaine (12,072) (@SophiaEHanson) September 18, 2020
“When I’m sometimes asked when will there be enough [women on the supreme court]? And I say ‘When there are nine.’ People are shocked. But there’d been nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a question about that.”
-Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg#RuthBaderGinburg#Feminist pic.twitter.com/78OP4SOAor— Greg “Wear Your Mask” Proops (@GregProops) September 18, 2020
A long life that still feels too short. Strength, persistence, determination and such a force to be reckoned with. Ruth Bader Ginsburg will sure be missed but continue to inspire and create change. Thoughts to her family and friends. Notorious RBG 👑🧡 pic.twitter.com/Z6lyyQTARq
— Mumilaaq Qaqqaq (@MumilaaqQaqqaq) September 19, 2020
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg For 27 years Justice Ginsburg was our voice for equality of women on the @Scotus She was the judicial heroine of our time. My heart is broken .
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) September 19, 2020
I’m so sorry to learn that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed away. She was a tireless advocate for women’s rights and progressive causes throughout her life.
The Senate must not be allowed to replace her until the next president is sworn into office.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 18, 2020
RBG had faith in humankind’s ability to better itself, to shed irrational bigotries, to come together in the pursuit of the greater good. She believed our current period of history will be remembered as an “anomaly.” It is now up to us to prove her right. https://t.co/oDsaNIUvFU
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a titan of justice. Her jurisprudence expanded the rights of all Americans, shaping our lives for the better. And her example now shines within the history of our country, there to inspire generations. pic.twitter.com/GffcMQivDx
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) September 18, 2020
