The Way Women Are

Book excerpt: A collection of US Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legal writings spanning her career, featuring her arguments, opinions, and dissents. US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her life defying notions about women. She garnered the status of a cultural icon, the “Notorious RBG.” Her life story is inspirational, and her work ethic is aspirational. Ginsburg’s dissents on behalf of liberal values have been lauded. She has been the subject of films and books, and her image has even been featured on everything from T-shirts to scented candles. But what is known about how her viewpoint shaped the development of law in the United States from the 1970s to 2020? The Way Women Are collects a broad range of Justice Ginsburg’s legal writings, shedding light on who she was and what she contributed to American jurisprudence. The book begins with her arguments before the Supreme Court as a women’s rights advocate in the 1970s. It proceeds to her opinions and dissents as a member of the Court. The opinions range from United States v. Virginia (1996) to Little Sisters of the Poor (2020)—a case she participated in from her hospital bed. Also included are a brief biography of Ginsburg and introductions to the writings that explain the background, issues, and laws involved in each case. Additionally, the collection includes oral arguments and bench announcements of decisions to make the issues more accessible. Altogether, The Way Women Are sketches an enlightening portrait of an extremely influential American jurist.