‘A trailblazer.’ SC leaders in both parties praise Ginsburg as passionate, inspirational
South Carolina leaders and political figures are commemorating Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after her death from cancer on Friday at 87 years old.
“Her life has been such an inspiration and this loss is felt on so many levels,” said Columbia Council member Tameika Isaac Divine. “You fought an amazing fight. This country is better because of you.”
As a lawyer, Ginsburg fought discrimination against women and worked for the American Civil Liberties Union before becoming a federal judge. She was appointed in 1993 to the Supreme Court as the second woman to serve on the bench in the nation’s highest court. In her later years and with the surge of women’s activism, she became pop-culture icon for women’s social justice.
SC Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland, tweeted a quote from Ginsburg that said “I wish I could wave a magic wand and put back when people were respectful of each other, Congress was working for the good of country, not just along party lines. Someday... people will say, ‘enough of this nonsense, let’s be the kind of legislature the U.S. should have.’”
“Of all her sound advice, this quote stands out to me,” Bernstein said. “She ended it with ‘I hope that day will come when I’m still alive.’ I’m so sorry it didn’t Justice Ginsburg. But we can make it happen now by electing people who will stand for country over party.”
Ginsburg was “a guiding inspiration for many Americans,” Gov. Henry McMaster said. “There is no doubt that her determination and tenacity will continue to inspire future generations.”
South Carolina Republican and Democratic members of Congress called Ginsburg a “trailblazer” and celebrated her public service as well as talents as a judge and lawyer.
Ginsburg “possessed tremendous passion for her causes,” said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. “She served with honor and distinction as a member of the Supreme Court.”
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Springdale, said, “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg devoted her life to serving our nation,” and “our country mourns a true trailblazer.”
Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, praised Ginsburg’s “unwavering commitment to justice for all,” which she leaves as a legacy.
“There are people who have an out sized impact on this world,” Clyburn said. “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was such a person.”
Charleston Democrat Rep. Joe Cunningham called Ginsburg “one of our nation’s greatest legal minds and a giant in the fight for civil rights and equality.”
For Adair Ford Boroughs, a candidate for South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional House District, Ginsburg’s impact was personal.
“She was one of the great pioneers,” Boroughs said. “As a young female lawyer, she was an inspiration to me. She showed us all how to fight for justice.”
This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 12:01 PM.