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Dear John,

Years ago, when I decided to become a lawyer, I did so because I believed in justice. But I became a women’s rights lawyer because of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I knew that the world wasn’t fair, but I knew that through the law, and through unlikely heroes like Justice Ginsburg, there was also—always—hope.

Last night, in learning of the passing of Justice Ginsburg, I realized just how unfair the world could truly be. It’s impossible, truthfully, to grapple with the enormity of this loss. Especially and on top of all that this country is dealing with right now. I have more feelings than I can name... but I think it’s important to try.

First, our grief. I’ve already received dozens of messages from people who didn’t know Justice Ginsburg personally, but they knew her impact on their lives was, in fact, personal. We have all lost a fearless champion of justice, a pillar of the law, and a bearer of our country’s conscience. From co-founding the ACLU's Women's Rights Project, to bringing the first case striking down a law that discriminated against women, to building the case that defined the standard for sex discrimination cases, Ginsburg was a visionary who revolutionized the gender equality movement—and the law—long before becoming a Supreme Court justice. And Ginsburg’s most recent term on the Court makes crystal clear how vital the role of a justice is in every facet of our lives, from the right to abortion and birth control, to access to the ballot, to securing rights and protections for LGBTQ individuals, Native Americans, and immigrants.

But then what about our fear, and our anger? There’s a righteous place for that too. Because just hours after Justice Ginsburg’s passing, Senator Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump released statements saying they’ll move quickly to nominate and confirm a new justice to replace her. With only 45 days until the election, it’s outrageous to consider filling her seat until the next president and congress are installed. The election has already begun; people are engaging in voting in states across this country. I’m furious that we can’t even take the time to properly honor her legacy before we have to start defending it.

But we will, of course. We must unite and do for Justice Ginsburg what she did for us—fight for what is right.
I know that you’ll be in this fight with us—and that’s also the reason I don’t feel completely hopeless right now. We are in this together, and together we’ll cry, we’ll honor Justice Ginsburg, and we’ll fight to defend the rights she so heroically enshrined for us.

Rest in power, Justice Ginsburg.

With love and sorrow,

Fatima Goss Graves
President & CEO
National Women's Law Center

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