The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, organizer of the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award, has made the decision to cancel this year’s award ceremony scheduled for April. The move comes after facing intense backlash from the family and friends of the late Justice Ginsburg over the selection of recipients for the prestigious honor.
Established in 2019 by Justice Ginsburg herself, the award was meant to recognize women who embody qualities of empathy and humility. However, this year, four out of the five intended recipients were men, including controversial figures such as Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, and Michael R. Milken.
Julie Opperman, chairwoman of the foundation, expressed regret over the situation, stating that the foundation did not intend to offend Justice Ginsburg’s loved ones. She explained that the decision to include male recipients was based on upholding Justice Ginsburg’s teachings on equality and recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to society.
Prior to the foundation’s announcement, Justice Ginsburg’s children had demanded that their mother’s name be removed from the award. Her daughter, Jane C. Ginsburg, called the selection of winners this year an affront to her mother’s values, while her son, James S. Ginsburg, labeled it a desecration of her memory.
The ceremony, which was set to take place at the Library of Congress, has now been canceled, with the foundation stating that it will reassess its mission and determine how to proceed in the future. Past recipients of the award include notable figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Diane von Furstenberg, and Barbra Streisand.
Justice Ginsburg, known for her progressive stance on issues such as abortion, affirmative action, and gender equality, spent nearly three decades on the Supreme Court advocating for justice and equality. Her former law clerk, Amanda L. Tyler, emphasized the importance of honoring Justice Ginsburg’s legacy with any award bearing her name.
