The internet got its first legal superhero in 2013 when a law student started a Tumblr devoted to feisty Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Tumblr “Notorious R.B.G.” became an instant hit, inspiring an SNL character, a book and now a Skirball Cultural Center exhibit that opens Friday and runs through March 10, 2019. We got a sneak peek and can confirm that a visit is the life-affirming afternoon you need, with high points ranging from historic jurisprudence to epic accessorizing.
All the Good Vibes You'll Have at the Amazing New Ruth Bader Ginsburg Exhibit
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Published Oct 15, 2018
Dana Dickey
You'll Rethink History
The Skirball Center’s exhibit jumps right into Ginsburg’s accomplishments, which are especially impressive since she is one of the few women to have graduated from an Ivy League law school in a time when most females didn’t work outside the home. Hip-hop lyrics penned by Notorious B.I.G. are graffitied throughout the exhibit—because he’s the rapper whose name and outsized rep inspired her nickname “Notorious RBG.”
Dana Dickey
You’ll Try On Outfits
There’s a rack of child- and adult-sized black judicial robes as well as RBG’s signature jabots (her distinctive tie-on collars). Remember: Dress for the job you want.
Courtesy Skirball Center
You'll Learn Legal Stuff
The show includes around a dozen deep dives into Ginsburg’s rulings and explains that her feminist philosophy is predicated on equality for women and men. As a lawyer, she took onseveral male clients who were being unfairly treated, such as Stephen Wiesenfeld, a widower and father who was denied Social Security survivor’s benefits due to his gender.
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
You'll Be Inspired To Work Out
The octogenarian judge works out for an hour twice a week, and her full-body regimen includes traditional pushups, medicine-ball pushups (srsly, RBG?!?), weights, resistance training and stretching. (You’ll walk away wondering if you could toss off even 20 regular pushups like Ginsburg.)
Photo courtesy Skirball Center
You'll Get Choked Up
Sorry, A Star Is Born—the tearjerker of the year is the love story of Ruth and Marty. Martin Ginsburg is the guy who married RBG in 1954. Funny, handsome and a super-successful tax attorney, he was his wife’s biggest fan, as well as the household chef. We dare you not to tear up as you read the heartfelt letter he wrote to her before he passed away in 2010.
Dana Dickey
You Won’t Go Home Empty-handed
The exhibit also has great shopping. You can browse books for all ages, mugs and even breath-freshening mints. However, you don’t have to buy anything to take home a souvenir: Just stop at the selfie station (with props!) and enjoy your own image equality.
