The Legacy of RBG, Forever Evergreen

It shown brightly and at eye level on my Christmas tree this year: an illustrative bulb featuring the likeness of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Aside from some homemade ornaments featuring pictures of my kids, she was the only face among the sleighs, reindeer, stars and bells. Mine wasn’t the only one I had purchased last year; I had gifted the decoration to several family members and friends that I knew would treasure the remembrance of her strength.

It struck me as a hung it this past holiday that this animated example was really representative of who she was, a woman larger than life. A true trailblazer, RBG defined her own equal footing in the world as a woman, thereby paving the path for us all to follow.

She fought for same-sex marriage, barred racial discrimination in voting, offered protections for people with mental disabilities, argued against gender discrimination in pay, among many, many other landmark rulings. She defended that “Women’s rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda” and generations to come will benefit from this idea.

I’m a business owner. I’m a mother. I’m a wife. I’m a sister to my biological brother, and to the many others that touch my life as members of my extended family. I’m a woman. But mostly, I’m a human being who recognizes that I’m no different than any other human being and all of our rights should be shared.

I don’t need to wait until next Christmas to be reminded of what RBG has done. Her spirit is with me always. I feel blessed to be working with Teneral Cellars to promote its RBG collection of wine and to have the opportunity to raise a glass to an incredible woman.

Darlene Hollywood, principal Hollywood Agency