A remembrance of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Dr. Todd Peppers, Henry H. and Trudye H. Fowler Professor in Public Affairs, teaches on the Supreme Court and judicial institutions. He remembers Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died September 18. 

“I had the opportunity to bring Roanoke College students in my Civil Liberties class to the Supreme Court and attend oral argument. After the court session we met with Justice Ginsburg. She talked about her work and took questions. Many of those former students have told me that the visit with Justice Ginsburg was their most memorable college experience."

"On another occasion, I interviewed Justice Ginsburg for a book chapter I was writing. During the interview, I was struck by the fact that someone so diminutive and quiet could radiate such intellectual power. Our interview was scheduled for an hour, but stretched into almost two and ended around 7:00 p.m. But, the day wasn't over for the Justice.  She bid me farewell and headed upstairs to the Court's gym for her daily workout. She was truly a force and will be greatly missed."

Of Note: In December, the University of Virginia Press is publishing a collection of essays that Dr. Todd Peppers has collected and edited.  The essays are written about former law clerks who worked in the federal and state courts. Justice Ginsburg contributed a chapter to the book on her experiences working as a law clerk for federal district court Judge Edmund Palmieri. 

In November 2010, students in Dr. Todd Peppers’ Civil Liberties class – a course that examines Supreme Court decisions concerning the Bill of Rights, with emphasis on the First Amendment – traveled to Washington, D.C. to explore the majestic halls of the United States Supreme Court. Here, Margaret “Maggie” Anderson ’13 shared an account of the class visit to the nation’s highest court. Anderson now works as a policy analyst for Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.

Upon arrival, Dr. Peppers’ class of approximately 25 students was ushered into the Supreme Court through a side-door entrance — much to the dismay of those who were waiting impatiently in the cold. Once inside, each student took a moment to absorb the breathtaking architecture — specifically the Great Hall, with rows of massive marble columns, uniquely designed coffered ceiling and busts of all former chief justices placed along the walls.

After a few moments of exploration, the first group of students was invited to hear oral arguments in the Court Chamber, a distinguished room with a 44-foot ceiling, unique marble décor, and beautiful mahogany benches. The first case argued was the consolidated Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn; Garriott v. Winn, involving Arizona’s tuition tax credit and the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Watching oral arguments was possibly one of the most memorable moments for us, as it put into perspective what Dr. Peppers had us examine all semester.

After the allotted argument time ran out in the first case, the first group visited the Supreme Court cafeteria for lunch. The second group then proceeded to the Court Chamber to hear oral arguments. After both groups heard oral arguments and finished lunch, we went to a conference room to speak with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Justice Ginsburg greeted us with kindness and wisdom. Although she was in a hurry to attend a meeting, she took time to answer several students’ questions. One student asked if she believed women were treated differently on the Supreme Court bench than men. She answered, “Of course there are differences; however, everyone works well together to eradicate these differences and fulfill their duty on the bench.”