糖心Vlog

糖心Vlog mourns the loss of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We were honored to have her visit to deliver the 2019 Lillian Parker Wallace Lecture, when she received Meredith鈥檚 Woman of Achievement Award. Read President Jo Allen’s statement

The story below was originally published after her September 23, 2019, visit to Meredith.

When Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg walked onto the stage in Meymandi Concert Hall, the admiration of the crowd was on full display as she received an exuberant standing ovation.

The 2019 Lillian Parker Wallace Lecture, 鈥淎 Conversation with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States,鈥� took place on September 23, 2019.

Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, spoke with 糖心Vlog alumna Suzanne Reynolds, 鈥�71, the first woman to serve as dean of the Wake Forest University School of Law and a national expert on family law.

Their conversation was wide-ranging, covering topics from Ginsburg鈥檚 legendary stamina, to her loving and supportive marriage, to her surprising friendship with fellow Supreme Court justice Antonin聽Scalia.

Through it all ran consistent themes of civility, humor, hard work, and devotion to the law and community.

A 鈥淲oman of Achievement鈥�
President Jo Allen, 鈥�80, introduced Ginsburg and presented her with the 鈥淲oman of Achievement鈥� award.

鈥淎s a women鈥檚 college, Meredith has been breaking down barriers for women since the College was established 128 years ago,鈥� said Allen. 鈥淭onight鈥檚 honoree has dedicated her extraordinary career to doing the same and I can think of no one better suited to receive this award.鈥�

Allen noted that Meredith alumnae and friends of the College were watching via聽livestream. Viewers took in the event from as close by as St. Mary鈥檚 School, where a group of high school women gathered to watch, and as far away as Dubai, UAE, and Sansepolcro, Italy. Approximately 9,600 individual viewers logged on to watch the historic event.

Lessons from Family
Ginsburg shared stories of how her family relationships had contributed to her professional success. Her mother, who died while Ginsburg was still a teenager, told her early on to be independent and be a lady. Ginsburg explained what her mother meant.

鈥淚t would be fine if you met and married prince charming, but always be ready to fend for yourself. And don鈥檛 waste time on emotions that won鈥檛 get you anyplace,鈥� said Ginsburg. 鈥淎 lady doesn鈥檛 let those emotions interfere in her life.鈥�

Ginsburg spoke at length about her relationship with Marty Ginsburg, her 鈥渓ife partner.鈥� She described him as her 鈥渂iggest booster.鈥�

鈥淗e thought the work I was doing was at least as important as the work he was doing. He never saw me as a competitor,鈥� she said.

Historic Perspective
Addressing Meredith students who live in a time of unlimited options for women, Ginsburg provided context for her lifelong work to eliminate gender discrimination. 鈥淔or women of my generation, the big challenge was to get the first job.鈥�

In response to a question from Reynolds, she talked about how important it is to have Justices Sotomayor and Kagan on the court with her, particularly for the public opinion. She reflected on the period after Former Associate Justice Sandra Day O鈥機onnor retired.

鈥淚t was very difficult for me being the lone woman,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow we look like we鈥檙e there to stay 鈥� no longer one-time curiosities.鈥� She added 鈥淢y sisters-in-law are no shrinking violets.鈥�

Civility Personified
Ginsburg is often asked about her friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia. While they did not share the same views of the Constitution, they both cared about good writing聽and shared a passion for the opera. They also had in common a great love of family and often celebrated New Year鈥檚 Eve together.

Professionally, they had significant differences, but even in that venue, she said, they found a way to interact civilly. For example, she related that Scalia once gave her a copy of his dissent before he was ready to circulate it to the rest of the court because he wanted her to have as much time as she could to respond.

鈥淚 loved Justice Scalia and miss him very much,鈥� she said, describing how they would sit next to each other and he would whisper things to make her laugh. 鈥淗e was a very funny man.鈥�

In describing the other justices, she said they are all different but they are one in their commitment to the Supreme Court.

鈥淲e have to be collegial. Collegiality really matters in our workplace.鈥�

RBG Campus Events
Meredith had been preparing for Ginsburg鈥檚 visit to ensure students made the most of it. First-year students read聽Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg聽for their summer reading book and discussions were held across campus. Approximately 500 community members gathered on September 19 in the McIver Amphitheater to watch an outdoor screening of the documentary聽RBG.

Student advisor Madelyn McKinney, 鈥�20, attended the film with her group of advisees. She, like many, found Ginsburg inspiring.

鈥淚 enjoyed watching her overcome the obstacles that she faced. Most people would have given up, but through everything she persisted,鈥� said McKinney. 鈥淎s an exercise and sports science major, I really enjoyed learning about her workout routines. It鈥檚 encouraging to see someone at her age still care about her health.鈥�

Ginsburg also spoke at an on-campus event the afternoon of September 23. Megan Gale, 鈥�21, said the student event was 鈥� 鈥� monumental. She inspired me to reach for things that seem impossible. I felt history was being made in front of my eyes this afternoon.鈥�

Neali Helms, 鈥�21, also attended the student session. 鈥淚 feel extremely fortunate to have had the privilege to witness such a historic moment for 糖心Vlog,鈥� said Helms. 鈥淩uth Bader Ginsburg embodies the true definition of a strong woman; empowered women empower women!鈥�

In addition, a campus-wide essay contest was held, with five students winning coveted tickets to both the afternoon and evening events.

The Importance of Community
The fund that made the lecture possible was established by the聽Class of 1971 in honor of Lillian Parker Wallace, former history professor and department head at Meredith. Two years following the inception of the fund, the Class of 1973 officially added its support. Anne Bryan, 鈥�71, who greeted the audience initially, noted that the Lillian Parker Wallace Lecture fund has recently passed the $1 million mark.

Numerous members of the Class of 1971 were present, coming from as far away as Michigan for the event, both to see Ginsburg and to support their classmate, Suzanne Reynolds.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all extremely proud of Suzanne鈥檚 success and excited for RBG to be here. Our class has been working on this for several years and it鈥檚 great to see it all come to fruition,鈥� said Lavinia Evans, 鈥�71.

Ginsburg鈥檚 closing advice touched on the importance of community, as she encouraged those listening to find something they are passionate about and do something positive to help others who are less fortunate.

鈥淲hatever field you choose to pursue, do something that will bring people together,鈥� she said. 鈥淒o something to help repair the tears in your community.鈥�

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