Biography of Ruth Bader Ginsberg as a leader in all parts of life, written by Wharton MBA student for a course on leadership from the point of view of the whole person.

1. KNOWLEDGE FOR ACTION
TOTAL LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP BIOGRAPHIES: RUTH BADER GINSBERG
Rachel Grant

2. KNOWLEDGE FOR ACTION
Born in Brooklyn in 1933
Biographical Overview
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Admitted to Harvard Law as one of 9 women in a class of 500, but
later transferred to Columbia Law due to her husband’s job; First
woman on two major law reviews there
Co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the
ACLU and became their general counsel
President Carter appointed RBG to the US
Court of Appeals in 1980 – was dubbed a
moderate. President Clinton appointed RBG to
the US Supreme Court in 1993 – has been
known as the leading member of the court’s
“liberal wing”

3. KNOWLEDGE FOR ACTION
Befriending Her Foes
• Despite Justice Scalia having such different views, he was RBG’s closest confidant on the
Supreme Court. She was able to create a strong relationship where there could have
been constant friction and stress.
Forming Partnerships
• Ruth and her husband Martin publically shared that they strived to be partners in their
marriage and equally divide child raising and breadwinning, creating wins in the Home
and Work domains.
Picking Battles To Win The War
• While at the ACLU, and later on the Supreme Court, RBG focused on picking cases that
could set a precedent in the court, in favor of the direction she wanted policy to move.
This created a win across Self and Work by finding a way to fight for her passions in the
work place.
How RBG Integrated Her Life
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4. KNOWLEDGE FOR ACTION
Walking the Talk
• Many of us share our thoughts on subjects such as gender equality, but few of us have
the power or the courage to do anything about it at a greater level. RBG gave us an
example of how woman can strive to create change.
Life Is A Give And Take
• Throughout her marriage, RBG made many sacrifices for her family – switched law
schools, helped her husband finish school while raising kids when he was sick – yet
she was luckily in a situation where she could take advantage of her own personal
moments to shine. It highlighted to me that life isn’t a zero-sum game and there’s
room for all to gain.
Lessons Learned
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