Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Family Responded About Awardees

They were not pleased

Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a Supreme Court Justice.

One of the most progressive and liberal Supreme Court Justices in recent years was Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was a champion for social issues and civil rights. She died at the age of 87 in 2020.

The Ginsburg Award is named in her honor and “celebrates leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in their chosen fields,” according to an announcement by the foundation that administers the award, The Opperman Foundation.

A story by Tierney Sneed for CNN was titled: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family dissents after award in her name is given to Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch.”

“Justice Ginsburg fought not only for women but for everyone,” said Julie Opperman, chair of the foundation, in a statement accompanying the announcement this week. “Going forward, to embrace the fullness of Justice Ginsburg’s legacy, we honor both women and men who have changed the world by doing what they do best.”

… In addition to Musk and Murdoch, lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, actor Sylvester Stallone and financier Michael Milken are also recipients of the award.

The Ginsburg family acknowledged that they are not affiliated with the award, but they called the choices of honorees this year as an “affront” to the memory of Ginsburg.

A former Ginsburg clerk, Trevor Morrison, wrote in a letter: “(N)ot everyone on this year’s slate reflects the values to which the Justice dedicated her career, and for which the Justice is rightly revered around the world,” the letter states.

Barbra Streisand received The Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award in 2023.

Neither the Ginsburg family’s statement nor Morrison’s letter singled out specific recipients to which they objected. Morrison stated that the awardees have achieved notable success, but honoring them in this manner is seen as a betrayal of the legacy of Justice Ginsburg.

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