If there’s one thing Americans love, it’s the story of the underdog. Rising against the odds, doing exactly what they were told wasn’t possible- it’s addicting. Keeping this in mind, it’s easy to see why Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a symbol for doing the impossible. 

Ginsburg started her political career at a time when the “acceptable” careers for women included teaching, nursing or just staying home with the kids. As one of the only 9 women at Harvard Law School in 1956, she fought her way through the classes and became one of the first women on law review at Harvard. She made history in school as well as later in life by becoming the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court. Starting as a Justice in 1993, she supported gender equality and women’s rights. Through her years on the court, she made it possible for women to sign a mortgage or create a bank account without a male co-signer, played an important role in the Roe v. Wade ruling, argued for women to serve on juries and voted to legalize same-sex marriages.

On Sept. 18, Ginsburg passed due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. The country mourned the passing of an icon, a woman who worked ceaselessly through a cancer diagnosis in 2009. Her work ethic through a single cancer diagnosis is admirable, but that wasn’t the first fight she’d had with the sickness. Between 1999 and 2020, Ginsburg received a diagnosis for colon, pancreatic and lung cancer. Despite her continued health problems, she pushed ahead and continued serving on the Supreme Court.

Ginsburg’s legacy extends far beyond credit cards and mortgage rights. She paved the way for women to pursue any job they want, attend any college and break out of the stereotypical mold. She was the original trailblazer and opened doors that generations of women will benefit from for years to come.