The Disputed Posthumous Honor: The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award and Controversial Honorees
Following the announcement of the recipients for The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award by the Opperman Foundation, the late justice’s family has expressed their disapproval and requested that her name be removed from the award. The foundation recognized SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, actor Sylvester Stallone, and financier Michael Milken as this year’s honorees.
A Divergence from Original Values: Ginsburg’s Family Reaction
Through a statement obtained by various media outlets, the family expressed their disappointment and stated that the selection of this year’s award recipients strayed far from the original mission of the award and from what Justice Ginsburg stood for. They clarified that they were not affiliated with the award and regarded the choices as an affront to her memory.
Support from a Former Ginsburg Clerk: Trevor Morrison’s Perspective
Former Ginsburg clerk Trevor Morrison also released a statement supporting the family’s decision. He stated that not everyone on this year’s slate reflected the values to which the Justice dedicated her career and for which she is rightly revered around the world.
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award: Celebrating Extraordinary Accomplishments
According to the foundation’s announcement, The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award celebrates leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in their chosen fields. In previous years, the award recognized women of distinction. This year, the foundation expanded the scope to include trailblazing men and women.
A Mixed Bag of Recipients: From Innovators to Veterans
The foundation described the 2023 honorees as path-breaking innovators to seasoned veterans across a broad range of professions and industries. Stewart, Musk, Murdoch, Stallone, and Milken were identified as recipients.
Stewart on Ginsburg’s Original Wish List
According to the foundation’s statement, Stewart was on Ginsburg’s original wish list of potential honorees.
Musk: A Stratospheric Achievement
The Opperman Foundation acknowledged Musk’s stratospheric accomplishments.
Murdoch: The Iconic Living Legend in Media
The foundation described Murdoch as the most iconic living legend in media. In a statement, he expressed that this recognition not only reflected his journey in the media and publishing industry but also represented the relentless defense of civil liberties and commitment to civil discourse that Justice Ginsburg embodied.
Ginsburg’s Family vs. The Opperman Foundation: A Disagreement on Legacy
Neither the family’s statement nor Morrison’s letter singled out specific recipients that they objected to but emphasized that Ginsburg’s name should not be attached to the award.
Morrison: A Striking Betrayal of Ginsburg’s Legacy
Former clerk Morrison wrote that each recipient had achieved notable success in their careers and may deserve accolades of one form or another. However, the decision to bestow upon them the particular honor of the RBG Award was a striking betrayal of the Justice’s legacy.
The Opperman Foundation’s Response
The Opperman Foundation did not respond to an inquiry from media outlets regarding the family’s request for Ginsburg’s name to be removed from the award.
This ongoing controversy highlights the differing perspectives on how to honor and remember a beloved figure like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with her family advocating for maintaining her values and the Opperman Foundation expanding the scope of the award.
In Conclusion
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award controversy underscores the importance of understanding and respecting individual values and legacies. While some may see it as an opportunity to celebrate various achievements, others might consider it a disregard for the original mission and intent of the award.
References
– News Finder. (n.d.). Ruth Bader Ginsburg family objects to Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch receiving award named for her. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from >
– Opperman Foundation. (2023, March 8). 2023 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award Honorees. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from >
