A bronze statue honoring Ruth Bader Ginsburg was unveiled in her native town of Brooklyn. The date was chosen to commemorate the 88th birthday of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice, who died Sept. 18, 2020, after serving 27 years on the nation’s highest court.
The work of Gillie and Marc, the statue is the latest in the Australian artist duo’s “Statues for Equality” series, launched near Rockefeller Center. The initial project honored Oprah Winfrey, Pink, Nicole Kidman, Jane Goodall, Cate Blanchett, Tererai Trent, Janet Mock, Tracy Dyson, Cheryl Strayed, and Gabby Douglas with life-size bronzes.
The artists hope to draw attention to the lack of monuments honoring real life women in New York. Until recently, there were only five civic sculptures of historic women, compared to 145 of men. Last summer, Central Park unveiled the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument, honoring Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth. It was the first new permanent sculpture in the park in 70 years, and its first honoring a historic woman.
Gille and Marc got Ginsburg’s approval for their statue before her death. “The statue reflects her wish to be depicted in a dignified manner,” they said in a statement. “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.”
March 15, the late justice’s birthday, has been announced as Justice Ginsburg Day by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
“In her lifetime, Justice Ginsburg championed countless crucial causes. This statue is just a small reminder that we all need to set the highest possible standards for ourselves and society,” Chris Conlon, executive vice president and CEO of Acadia Realty, said in a statement. “From the people who work here, to the diverse shoppers and shopping at City Point, everyone feels welcome, equal, and respected. We are honored to have this great statue grace our property, and to bring Justice Ginsburg’s ‘path marking’ spirit back to Brooklyn to inspire us for generations.”