The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, which organizes an honor named for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has made the decision to cancel the award ceremony scheduled for April. The foundation faced intense backlash from the family and friends of Justice Ginsburg over the choice of honorees for this year’s awards. Justice Ginsburg, a lifelong champion of women’s rights and liberal causes, helped establish the award in 2019, with the original intention of recognizing “women who exemplify human 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.

The children of Justice Ginsburg, Jane C. Ginsburg and James S. Ginsburg, expressed their strong opposition to the decision to include men as recipients of the award named after their mother. They demanded that Justice Ginsburg’s name be removed from the prize, formerly known as the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award. James S. Ginsburg characterized the decision to honor individuals like Musk and Murdoch with his mother’s name as a “desecration” of her memory, vowing to fight against it.

In response to the criticism, Julie Opperman, the chairwoman of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, released a statement explaining that the inclusion of male recipients was meant to reflect Justice Ginsburg’s teachings on equality and recognize leaders who have made significant contributions to society. However, in light of the controversy and uproar from Justice Ginsburg’s family, the foundation made the decision to cancel the award ceremony. It remains unclear whether the selected honorees will still receive the award in the future, as the foundation reconsiders its mission and how to proceed moving forward.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazing figure on the Supreme Court, known for her progressive voice and unwavering commitment to combating discrimination and promoting gender equality. Over her nearly three decades on the bench, Justice Ginsburg made significant contributions to landmark cases involving abortion, affirmative action, and women’s rights. Her former law clerks and colleagues emphasize the importance of honoring her legacy through awards that reflect her values and dedication to social justice.

In conclusion, the cancellation of the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award ceremony serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the values and principles that Justice Ginsburg embodied throughout her career. While the controversy over this year’s honorees may have led to the cancellation of the ceremony, it also highlights the need to carefully consider and respect the legacy of influential figures like Justice Ginsburg in all aspects of public recognition and commemoration.