The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Statue Is Now Up And She's A Beaut
The statue was erected just days before the late Supreme Court Justice’s birthday
Just in time for Women’s History Month, the much-anticipated Ruth Bader Ginsburg statue is finally here. The bronze statue was unveiled on March 12 — just three days before what would have been Ginsburg’s 88th birthday — in the late Supreme Court Justice‘s hometown of Brooklyn.
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“My Shero, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has the statue in Brooklyn she rightly deserves,” tweeted Billie Jean King, sports icon, equality champion, and founder of Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, a nonprofit that advocates for equity and inclusion globally.
The RBG statue stands at a towering 7 feet and weighs 650 pounds.
Created by Australian artists Gillie and Marc, the statue stands on two steps, which the artists said represent her climb to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
“With the two steps on its large base representing the Supreme Court and the climb she made to get there, the work is designed to provide the public with an opportunity to stand at her side, and gain inspiration from her journey fighting for equal rights,” they said.
“We encourage folks to step on the pedestal and stand with Ruth to be inspired by her legacy and everything she’s done for equality,” said Erica Roseman, president of marketing firm Concrete Communications NYC.
Borough President Eric Adams said on the day of the unveiling that the new statue will “ensure her legacy lives on for generations.”
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg dedicated her life to breaking down barriers and making our country a more equitable place,” Adams tweeted. “Her powerful example has inspired New Yorkers of all generations, and this new statue will ensure her legacy lives on for generations.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the statue on Sept. 19, stating that it’s the state’s way of honoring Ginsburg’s life and legacy and that it will serve as a physical reminder of her contributions to the country.
The timing of the statue’s unveiling was strategic, too.
It was revealed just days before Ginsburg’s birthday, March 15. And a few days after the unveiling, a separate event was held for the renaming of the Brooklyn Municipal Building as the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building.
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was notorious for recognizing the women who came before her and fighting to pave the way for those to come after,” Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted. “Today, on her birthday, we honor her life and the legacy, and we recommit to fighting for equality and justice for all.”
RBG was born in Brooklyn on March 15, 1933 and grew up in the borough’s Flatbush neighborhood.
The statue, which is located at City Point Brooklyn, a mixed-use development about a half mile away from the Brooklyn Bridge, is currently open to the public. However, reservations are required to view it.
“Today we honor a true daughter of Brooklyn: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Justice Ginsburg fought for justice and equality her entire life. May her memory, and this building, inspire generations of New Yorkers to stand up, speak out and make our country a better place for all who call it home.”
