Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Granddaughter: 'You Know Her as the Notorious RBG, but She's Bubbie to Me'
'On April 16, 2018, I stood beside 89 other young adults in a ceremonial courtroom as we swore an oath in unison to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York. We were among hundreds of New Yorkers who officially began our lives as lawyers on that day. For all of us, the road was long—from the LSAT to the terrifying obstacle of the bar exam—but for each of us the road was also different. A friend to my left was a first-generation law student. A man I didn’t know was waving to his toddler as he stood up to take his oath. As I enter my life as a bona fide lawyer, I think about the influences that led me to this point, and no one has guided and inspired me more than my grandmother.
You may know her as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or affectionately as the Notorious RBG, but to me she's Bubbie. Bubbie with whom I spend most High Holy Days. Bubbie who took me to see The Book of Mormon, where we both laughed until we cried. Bubbie who loves going to the movies. Bubbie at whom I get a kick out of poking fun. Just a Bubbie like any other.
But I have to acknowledge that she’s also a public superstar. My time in law school dovetailed with the explosion of Bubbie’s public profile. When I was growing up, sometimes people would stop Bubbie to say hello, or there would be some double takes from people who thought they recognized her. Only lately has she risen to genuine stardom, easily and giddily recognized by lawyers and nonlawyers alike. Recently, at an event at Columbia University, hundreds of women gave her a standing ovation as she walked out to the chorus of Biggie’s “Notorious B.I.G.” These days we rarely go out without people—mostly women—asking to take a picture or telling her they admire her. It’s equally strange and touching for me to see a young woman, probably my age, ask Bubbie if she can give her a hug.
Growing up, I always knew Bubbie’s job was important, but I never fully appreciated the extent of her accomplishments until I began studying law. During my first year of law school, it wasn’t uncommon for her opinions—or pointed dissents—to be assigned and dissected during class. I made a conscious decision not to advertise my familial connection, but I always felt a secret wave of pride and a little awkwardness whenever we discussed her opinions of jurisprudence. It was exceedingly difficult for me to not pick up the phone after every constitutional law class to discuss the cases we were covering. Once, though, I had to email her about her opinion in a voting rights case, Evenwel v. Abbott, because I thought the strong language in her analysis did not match up with the eventual, more reserved, holding. I was frustrated that she seemed to be holding back. I won’t reveal her response here, except to report that she told me, “I once spoke to you about not being queen when one writes for the Court.”
To me this perfectly encapsulates Bubbie’s approach to her role on the Supreme Court: She doesn’t write to promote her profile or to advance her interests; she writes to “get (and hold) the court,” meaning, to respond to her colleagues’ concerns. I have learned from her focus on consensus building and her appreciation for measured improvement over time. Previously, I thought that winning, and only on my own terms, was the path to success (just ask my former debate partners). But her work and friendships—like with the late Justice Antonin Scalia—have inspired me to listen to those I may disagree with and to find areas where we can build together.'>>>
https://www.glamour.com/story/ruth-bader-ginsburg-granddaughter-bubbie-to-me?
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Bubbie! Warms the heart.
