Reactions across Maryland to the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away Friday night at the age of 87.

Ginsburg had been in and out of the hospital for the last several months as she battled metastatic pancreas cancer. She died in her home surrounded by family, the Supreme Court said in a statement.

Across Maryland and the globe, people issued their condolences to the family of Ginsburg. Here are the one's that came in across the state.

Governor Larry Hogan:

Maryland Democratic Party:

“Tonight, the country's heart collectively breaks at the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg; she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of breaking barriers and fighting for human rights. Justice Ginsberg made us proud to be human, proud to be Democrats, and proud to be Americans. The impact and importance of her work will continue to live on for generations to come.”

Linda Pennoyer, Mayor of the Town of Upper Marlboro:

“Our collective hearts are broken tonight with the devastating news that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died. Even though she battled serious health challenges for decades, somehow we all wanted to believe in her immortality. Judge Ginsburg represented so much of what was good about our country. She could reach across the vast political divide to befriend her fiercest rivals, yet always remain true to her values. Besides her brilliant legal mind, Judge Ginsburg’s sharp wit and disarming sense of humor were perhaps her strongest assets. I personally admired Judge Ginsburg because of her staunch advocacy of women’s rights and equality. She not only broke through the glass ceilings of discrimination and bigotry, she shattered them. By doing so, Judge Ginsburg was an inspiration to millions of girls and women because, through her example, they were able to believe anything was possible. I truly hope we can set aside the political vitriol of this current campaign to honor Judge Ginsburg with sincere gratitude and our deep appreciation for her extraordinary service.”

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.):

“This is a painful and devastating loss for our country. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American hero, pioneer, and an inspiration to all. Our nation is so much better because of her courage and tireless fight for equality. We have a duty to protect her legacy on the Supreme Court.”

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSOBROOKS:

“It is absolutely heartbreaking to learn of the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer throughout her career, becoming only the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her advocacy for women’s rights was instrumental in helping us make progress on gender equality over the past several decades. Justice Ginsburg helped carve a path forward for so many women leaders that we see today, and her voice and advocacy will be sorely missed. Let us all take some time to honor and thank Justice Ginsburg for her dedicated service to our nation.”

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten

“Justice Ginsburg is an icon. She leaves behind a legacy as a brilliant, hardworking jurist and a trailblazing feminist; her loss is incalculable. Long before she became notorious, she broke barriers most never even dreamed to approach. Her unfailing sense of justice reminded us of its awesome power, and her unbending sense of duty reminded us to remain committed to protecting our democracy, our Constitution and the rule of law. But it was her personal courage and resilience, especially in the face of illness, that reminded us just how much strength one single person can have.

“The best way to honor Justice Ginsburg is to cherish the justice she pursued and to honor her final wish to wait until the next president is inaugurated before considering her replacement.”

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.)

“Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was both an inspiration and a trailblazer in every possible sense of the words. After breaking through the countless barriers thrown in her path, she re-defined what it meant to be a both a thoughtful jurist and a dedicated public servant.

“From graduating first in her undergraduate class at Cornell University, to being the first female member of the Harvard Law Review, to graduating first in her class at Columbia Law School, Justice Ginsburg’s academic accomplishments were unrivaled. The first female professor at Columbia University to earn tenure, Justice Ginsburg directed the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and argued six landmark cases before the Supreme Court – winning five. These cases protected not only the rights of women, but also many men who faced discrimination as well. After serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for 13 years, she began her 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Preferring narrow reforms to overly broad and sweeping policy changes, Justice Ginsburg attached the legal precedents that enabled discrimination to persist with surgical precision. This approach underpinned her collaboration with President Barack Obama on the very first piece of legislation he signed, the Lilly Leadbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which required employers to redouble their efforts to ensure that their pay practices were equal – regardless of gender, age, nationality or disability status. The text of this bill hung on her office wall for good reason, as it was the embodiment of her spirit.

“I fully conquer with Justice Ginsburg’s deathbed request: ‘My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.’”

Council President Brandon M. Scott:

“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an inspiration to me. She overcame sexism to advance equal rights for women and all Americans. During her tenure on the Court she served as a bulwark against discrimination and for equal protection for all. Justice Ginsburg protected a woman’s right to choose, saved Title IX, struck down laws and policies that excluded women, protected the Affordable Care Act, affirmed gay marriage, and advanced civil liberties. She was irreplaceable. She will be missed. Her seat must remain empty until the next President nominates her successor.”

Mayor Jack Young:

“Tonight, America mourns the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was a Justice for the ages and will be remembered as a tireless champion of women's and civil rights. Justice Ginsburg will remain an icon and a role model for millions of women and little girls. On behalf of all of Baltimore City, I mourn the loss of this great American and my thoughts and prayers are with her family on this incredibly somber night.”