ruth bader ginsburg — Eyes + Ears

A few weeks ago, my awesome friend Kate asked me if I wanted to go to a pre-screening of the new Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary, "RBG." I didn't even know there was an RBG documentary coming out, but of course I enthusiastically said yes.

Presented by the Open Society Institute, the Charles Theater showed the film yesterday, which officially comes out May 11.

YOU MUST GO SEE IT.

Before seeing the film, of course I knew a good bit about RBG, but mostly the highlights. Like any good feminist, I knew she has been a prime champion of women's rights, has written some badass dissents, and that she had a remarkably supportive husband at a time when a woman's career was never expected to supersede her husband's.

What I felt like this documentary taught me was who she is at her core. Although the film was mostly light and I got quite a few laughs out of it, RBG is super serious, quiet, INCREDIBLY brilliant, and of course, someone who makes me question what I am even doing with my life. She's also "bubbe" to her grandkids, a "super diva!" in the gym, and someone who may or may not know how to turn on a television.

One major takeaway? I learned that even though she faced major discrimination as one of nine women at Harvard Law in a class of hundreds, she never responds in anger. Her mother drilled into her that anger is a useless emotion. This is a good reminder for me right now, since every political argument for me these days results in RAGE.

In addition to being fascinating and informative, the documentary was also extremely touching. I had to hold back tears MULTIPLE times since I got eyelash extensions for the first time earlier in the day (blog post on that to come!) and they aren't supposed to get wet for 24 hours. But I was moved by how strong she is in her convictions, how beautiful her 50-plus-year relationship with her husband was, and how as liberal as she is and how conservative Antonin Scalia was, they were the most adorable pair of besties I've ever seen.

I knew she had contributed loads to the standing of American women today but I had no idea how much. Before becoming a justice, she argued six cases before the Supreme Court as a lawyer and won five of them in the '70s. I didn't expect to come away as moved and inspired as I did, but holy shit, watching this quiet, little woman make history motivated me to do more, and do better.

I HIGHLY recommend seeing "RBG" when it comes out next week. I bet you'll learn some things you didn't know, get a few laughs, and be inspired.

xo,
S