After a long and trying battle with cancer, the second woman to sit on the Supreme Court has passed away 

Last Friday, after a long battle and complications from pancreatic cancer, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in her home at the age of 87. She was surrounded by her family in Washington, D.C.

The Justice, both a mother and wife, graduated first in her class at Colombia Law in 1959, and went on to become the first female professor to receive tenure at the same school. 

Justice Ginsburg was appointed to her seat on the high court by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and has served there ever since, as only the second female to have ever served on the court. 

“We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her, a tireless and resolute champion of justice,” remarked Chief Justice John Roberts.

Many see the late Justice as a pioneer in many respects, including fighting for women’s rights with her infamous opinion in The United States v. Virginia, which led to the movie “On the Basis of Sex.” 

People across the political aisle have taken to Twitter to express their grief and regret over this loss of life.

Notable conservative Kurt Schlihter remarked on Twitter, “I want to extend my condolences to the family of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was a tough uncompromising political opponent, a pioneer, and courageous in her battle against a deadly foe. We conservatives were lucky to have an opponent like her.”

On the other side, Bernie Sanders tweeted, “The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country. She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history.”

George W. Bush took to Twitter to say, “Laura and I join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She dedicated many of her 87 remarkable years to the pursuit of justice and equality, and she inspired more than one generation of women and girls.”

Her death will not be felt only by those near to her, but by waves of people around the nation. Some have already taken to gathering outside of the Supreme Court to honor the legacy of the Justice. 

Unfortunately, her passing was not an exception to the polarization of the political sphere and discussions have already begun as to whether or not it will be appropriate for the President to appoint another Justice. 

But away from the politics, her death and her legacy leave behind a reminder of what can be accomplished when one reaches across the political divide.