Sadly, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18th. She had multiple cancer diagnoses and recurrences over the last two decades starting in 1999- six years after her appointment to the Supreme Court. Throughout it all (and amidst criticisms that she should retire), Ginsburg remained steadfast in her desire and ability to continue working even saying as recently as this July that she would remain a member of the court for as long as possible.

Years ago, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court), who returned to the bench right after her after her breast cancer diagnosis offered Ginsburg some advice. She suggested that Ginsburg get chemotherapy on Friday to have the weekend to recover so that she could be back in court by Monday. It’s advice Ginsburg said she ended up following meticulously.

Dr. David Ryan, chief of hematology and oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of Living With Cancer noted the people that have multiple bouts with cancer often develop a resilience after several experiences with recommits them to their careers and passions. Justice Ginsburg was a prime example of this. In 2015, she spoke of her enduring commitment saying, “I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability,”

To read more about Justice Ginsburg’s resilience and lasting legacy, click here: