Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the more I learn about her the more fascinated and encouraged I feel. She was a pioneer in many respects, always fighting tirelessly for what she believed in. I admire her determination and zest. So does my friend that wanted her words to put up on her wall.  A desire to honor her legacy gave light to a passion-collaborative project. 

Here is all the meaning we packed in this piece

·          The royal blue is for her regal strength and impact, and for the symbolic nature of blue that represents truth and peace.

·          The imperfect and incomplete black box suggests the robe she wore in her role in the Supreme Court and represents the imperfect system that she fought so hard to fix.

·          The collar goes out of the box because that is how she brought change, in an unconventional, real, and dignified way. Thinking outside the box.

·          There are exactly 12 quotes carefully chosen, that weave and make the collar.

·          The words read in a zig zag and change style when the next one starts.

·          They are a selected collection of words of wisdom to live by.

And here is a summary sequence of how it took shape

When we were done we thought the piece needed to be shared.  But since they are R.B.G.’s words, I needed permission to do so. It all seemed unreachable, so I stashed the sketches and print, being satisfied with the process and result and what it meant to us. 
But, T found a way, I reached R.B.G.’s daughter with hesitation as I felt I was already breaking copyright law; paradoxically finding out that she is an Intellectual Property expert and p\Professor of Artistic Property Law. (big swallow…)

But Mrs. Jane C. Ginsburg called it “ingenious”

This piece is charged with admiration, honor, great words, and meaning. 
Here are Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s words in order of appearance:

1.       Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.

2.       So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune.

3.       Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.  It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.

4.       If you want to be a true professional, do something outside yourself.

5.       Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.

6.       Women will have achieved true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.

7.       I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability.

8.       Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade.

9.       Don’t be distracted by emotions like anger, envy, resentment.  These just zap energy and waste time.

10.   You can’t have it all, all at once.

11.   If you have a caring life partner, you help the other person when that person needs it.

12.   You can disagree without being disagreeable.

 

 Quote #7 is specially touching to me, “I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability.”  -R.B.G.

I too will continue to do so.

What are you inspired to do today?

-Cristina