Quote Origin: “My mother told me two things constantly….

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

> “My mother told me two things constantly. One was to be a lady and the other was to be independent, and the law was something most unusual for those times because for most girls growing up in the ’40s, the most important degree was not your B.A. but your M.R.S.”
>
> — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

A distinguished elderly woman with silver-white hair and glasses stands confidently in a formal blac

Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke these powerful words countless times throughout her career. They reveal the contradictory expectations her mother placed upon her. Moreover, they illuminate the challenging landscape young women navigated during the 1940s.

Ginsburg’s mother, Celia Bader, embodied the tension between traditional femininity and female autonomy. She wanted her daughter to maintain social graces while pursuing independence. This duality shaped Ginsburg’s entire worldview. Consequently, she became one of history’s most influential advocates for gender equality.

The quote references a specific cultural phenomenon of the 1940s. Source Young women attended college seeking their “M.R.S. degree”—a husband. Education served as a marriage marketplace rather than intellectual development. This reality frustrated ambitious women like Ginsburg’s mother.

Celia Bader grew up in an immigrant family during the early 20th century. She possessed sharp intelligence and academic promise. However, her family prioritized her brother’s education over hers. This injustice haunted her throughout her life.

Ginsburg’s mother never attended college herself. Instead, she worked to fund her brother’s university education. The sacrifice left deep scars. Nevertheless, it fueled her determination that Ruth would have different opportunities.

The 1940s presented unique challenges for American women. World War II temporarily opened employment doors. Women filled factory jobs and professional positions. However, returning soldiers reclaimed these roles after the war ended. Society expected women to retreat to domestic life.

Educational institutions reflected these conservative values. Universities imposed quotas limiting female enrollment. Many professional schools excluded women entirely. Law schools particularly resisted female students. They viewed women as unsuitable for legal practice.

Ginsburg recounted her mother’s advice throughout her public career. She referenced it in interviews, speeches, and judicial proceedings. The quote appeared prominently during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1993.

During those hearings, Ginsburg painted a vivid picture of her mother’s influence. She described Celia as brilliant but constrained by her era. The senators listened intently as Ginsburg connected her mother’s thwarted ambitions to her own legal career. This personal narrative humanized complex constitutional arguments about gender discrimination.

The quote gained wider circulation after Ginsburg’s confirmation. Media outlets frequently featured it in profiles. Biographers incorporated it into their narratives. Furthermore, it became a touchstone for understanding Ginsburg’s judicial philosophy.

Ginsburg also included this memory in her 2016 book “My Own Words.” The collection featured speeches and writings spanning her career. In it, she elaborated on how her mother’s contradictory messages shaped her identity. She had to be both ladylike and independent, traditional yet pioneering.

A vintage-inspired portrait of a young woman in her twenties sitting at a polished wooden desk in a

The quote resonated differently across decades. In the 1990s, it highlighted how far women had progressed. By the 2000s, it served as a reminder that progress remained incomplete. Today, it sparks conversations about intersectionality and ongoing gender barriers.

Feminist scholars embraced the quote enthusiastically. They used it to illustrate the double bind facing professional women. Society demands femininity while punishing women who prioritize appearance over achievement. Conversely, it criticizes women who neglect traditional feminine presentation.

The “M.R.S. degree” reference particularly captured public imagination. Younger generations found it shocking that marriage was once women’s primary educational goal. The phrase became shorthand for pre-feminist era attitudes. Social media amplified its reach, especially after Ginsburg became a cultural icon.

Activists incorporated the quote into protests and advocacy campaigns. It appeared on signs at women’s marches. Organizations fighting gender discrimination featured it prominently. Additionally, it inspired artwork, merchandise, and educational materials.

The quote occasionally appears in shortened forms. Some versions omit the “M.R.S. degree” reference entirely. Others paraphrase Ginsburg’s words rather than quoting directly. These variations dilute the historical specificity that makes the original powerful.

Some sources incorrectly attribute similar sentiments to other feminists. The “M.R.S. degree” concept predates Ginsburg’s usage. However, her specific formulation—connecting it to her mother’s contradictory advice—is uniquely hers.

Occasionally, people misquote the timeframe. Ginsburg specified the 1940s, but some versions reference the 1950s instead. This shift matters because post-war domesticity intensified during the 1950s. The 1940s context captures the wartime disruption of gender norms.

Another common error involves the ladylike component. Some retellings emphasize independence while minimizing the “be a lady” directive. However, the tension between these expectations is central to Ginsburg’s point. Removing it undermines her message about navigating contradictory demands.

This quote became emblematic of Ginsburg’s broader legacy. It encapsulated her life’s work dismantling legal barriers to gender equality. The personal story made abstract constitutional principles accessible. People could understand discrimination through one mother’s conflicted advice.

Law schools adopted the quote in their curricula. Professors used it to introduce gender discrimination cases. Students analyzed how Ginsburg’s personal experiences informed her judicial reasoning. Moreover, it demonstrated that legal advocacy often springs from lived experience.

The quote influenced public discourse about women’s education. It sparked discussions about whether contemporary pressures differ fundamentally from 1940s expectations. Young women still face contradictory messages about ambition and femininity. Therefore, Ginsburg’s words remain relevant decades later.

Biographers identified this quote as key to understanding Ginsburg’s character. Her mother’s early death—Ruth was just 17—intensified these lessons’ importance. Celia never witnessed her daughter’s achievements. However, her influence permeated every aspect of Ruth’s career.

A candid moment captured in warm, natural window light showing an elderly woman’s weathered ha

Ginsburg offered many reflections on gender and opportunity. She famously asked, “When will there be enough women on the Supreme Court?” Her answer: “When there are nine.” This challenged assumptions about gender balance. After all, nine men had served simultaneously without controversy.

Another powerful Ginsburg quote stated: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” This complemented her mother’s advice about independence. Women shouldn’t just be independent in private life. They must participate fully in public spheres.

Other trailblazing women expressed similar frustrations about the “M.R.S. degree” phenomenon. Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique” explored how educated women felt trapped by domestic expectations. Gloria Steinem wrote about the marriage pressure college women faced. These voices created a chorus challenging restrictive gender norms.

Ginsburg also frequently quoted Sarah Grimké, a 19th-century abolitionist and women’s rights advocate. Grimké wrote: “I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” This directness appealed to Ginsburg’s legal sensibility.

The quote reveals Ginsburg’s fundamental belief in equal opportunity. Her mother’s thwarted potential represented countless women denied education and careers. Ginsburg dedicated her legal career to removing these barriers. She argued landmark cases establishing that gender-based classifications require heightened scrutiny.

The emphasis on being “a lady” also mattered to Ginsburg’s approach. She advocated fiercely but maintained judicial decorum. Critics sometimes wished she’d be more confrontational. However, Ginsburg believed measured, persistent advocacy achieved lasting change. Her mother’s advice about ladylike behavior influenced this strategic choice.

Independence meant economic self-sufficiency to Ginsburg. Women needed their own income and property rights. Early in her career, she challenged laws treating married women as dependents. These cases established that women could control their own finances and make independent decisions.

Ginsburg’s focus on law as unusual for women reflected her pioneering spirit. Source She was one of nine women in her Harvard Law School class of over 500 students. Professors questioned whether women were taking spots from qualified men. Despite this hostility, she excelled academically.

Contemporary feminists debate whether the quote’s lessons still apply. Some argue women face different but equally constraining expectations. Others contend genuine progress has occurred. Nevertheless, the fundamental tension between femininity and ambition persists.

Young professionals cite the quote when discussing workplace challenges. Women still navigate contradictory feedback about being too aggressive or insufficiently assertive. The “be a lady” directive evolved but didn’t disappear. It manifests in dress codes, communication style critiques, and leadership evaluations.

Educational institutions use the quote to examine their own histories. Universities that once excluded women now celebrate female achievement. However, they must also acknowledge past discrimination. Ginsburg’s words remind institutions that progress required persistent advocacy.

The “M.R.S. degree” concept resurfaces in discussions about college hookup culture. Some commentators argue women still prioritize relationships over academics. Others counter that women now outperform men academically. The debate reveals ongoing anxiety about women’s educational priorities.

A vintage-inspired flat lay photograph on a wooden desk bathed in soft morning window light, featuri

Celia Bader never imagined her daughter would become a Supreme Court Justice. She died before Ruth graduated from high school. Yet her influence shaped constitutional law for decades. This demonstrates how maternal guidance ripples through generations.

Ginsburg honored her mother by living the independence Celia championed. She pursued legal education despite discouragement. She balanced career and family when few women did. Moreover, she used her position to expand opportunities for others.

The contradictory advice—be ladylike yet independent—ultimately proved complementary. Ginsburg demonstrated that women need not choose between femininity and achievement. They can embody both simultaneously. This integration challenged binary thinking about gender roles.

Today, the quote inspires women facing their own contradictory expectations. It validates the frustration of navigating impossible standards. Simultaneously, it offers hope that change is possible. Ginsburg transformed her mother’s conflicted advice into a judicial philosophy that reshaped American law.

Her words remind us that personal experiences inform public advocacy. The lessons learned at a mother’s knee can ultimately influence Supreme Court decisions. Celia Bader’s wisdom, channeled through her daughter, helped establish legal protections for millions of women. That legacy far exceeds any degree—bachelor’s or otherwise.

Explore More About Ruth Bader Ginsburg

If you found this quote inspiring, you might enjoy these products related to Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Topics: