On Sept. 18, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed dead by the Supreme Court of the United States. Her reported cause of death was complications from metastatic cancer in the pancreas. 

   Ruth Bader Ginsburg -known lovingly on social media as RBG- lived to the age of 87 and served 40 combined years on the bench. In her 40 years, she became associated with social justice and even had a massive fan base across the country. 

   “Today we mourn but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her, a tireless and resolute champion of justice,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in an interview with NPR. 

   Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a pillar in women’s history as she fought her way through gender norms in the field of law and life. Included in her long list of accolades is becoming the first woman on Harvard Law Review, graduating top of her class at Columbia Law, becoming the first female professor to earn tenure at Columbia, and directing the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union.

   When she moved to the bench, she continued to trailblaze in the field of law. She replenished the weak liberal side of the bench and led it for the entirety of her time as an associate justice. In addition to leading the liberal sect of the bench, Ruth Bader Ginsburg in partnership with President Obama worked to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. 

   Not only was Justice Ginsburg impressive in her accomplishments in the field of law, but she was also adored by millions across the country. There are two movies about her, a book about her, toasters, waffle-makers, key-chains, stickers, mugs, action-figures, etc. There was no doubt that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a loved member of the American government. 

   One thing that has remained even after her death is her dedication to her morals and beliefs. During the Trump administration, Justice Ginsburg has been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his policies. It was made clear that she had no intention of giving up her seat until President Trump was out of office. Thus, with her death, President Trump now has the ability to appoint a third supreme court justice. 

   “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” said Ginsburg to her granddaughter in the days leading up to her death, NPR reported. 

   What the American people have yet to see is how a vacancy on the bench will affect the presidential election, if President Trump will have enough time to nominate and confirm a candidate for the position, and if anyone will be able to fill the void that Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death has created in American politics.