The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, organizer of the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award, has announced the cancellation of this year’s award ceremony scheduled for April. The decision comes after facing intense backlash from the family and friends of the late Justice Ginsburg over the selection of recipients.
Established in 2019 by Justice Ginsburg herself, the award was meant to honor women who embody qualities of empathy and humility. However, this year, four out of the five intended recipients are men, including controversial figures such as Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, and Michael R. Milken.
Julie Opperman, chairwoman of the foundation, expressed regret over the unintended offense caused to Justice Ginsburg’s loved ones. She clarified that the decision to include male recipients was based on upholding the justice’s teachings on equality and recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to society.
The children of Justice Ginsburg, Jane C. Ginsburg and James S. Ginsburg, strongly condemned the selection of this year’s honorees, calling it an affront to their mother’s values and a desecration of her memory. They demanded the removal of Justice Ginsburg’s name from the award.
As a result of the controversy, the foundation decided to cancel the award ceremony and is reconsidering its mission moving forward. While no decision has been made on whether the selected recipients will still receive the award, the foundation is assessing how to proceed in the future.
Past recipients of the award include notable figures like Queen Elizabeth II, Diane von Furstenberg, and Barbra Streisand. Justice Ginsburg, known for her progressive stance on issues of gender equality and discrimination, spent her life fighting for justice and empowerment for all individuals.
In the words of Amanda L. Tyler, a former law clerk of Justice Ginsburg, any award bearing her name should honor her great legacy of combating discrimination and empowering women to control their destinies. The controversy surrounding this year’s recipients serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding Justice Ginsburg’s values and principles in all endeavors.
