Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be memorialized with a statue in Brooklyn, her hometown, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. Update: Cuomo suggested the site could be in Brooklyn Bridge Park [more details below].
Ginsburg, 87, who as an attorney helped lead the fight for gender equality and became the second woman on the Supreme Court, died on Friday. She was a Brooklyn native, born in Flatbush, attending P.S. 238 and James Madison High School in Midwood.
The governor will appoint a commission that will make recommendations about the design and location of the memorial, as well as select an artist after reaching out to art institutions and artists themselves.
"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg selflessly pursued truth and justice in a world of division, giving voice to the voiceless and uplifting those who were pushed aside by forces of hate and indifference. As a lawyer, jurist, and professor, she redefined gender equity and civil rights and ensured America lived up to her founding ideals — she was a monumental figure of equality, and we can all agree that she deserves a monument in her honor," Cuomo said in a statement. "She persevered despite several bouts of cancer and was present every single day to participate in the strengthening and safeguarding of our democracy. Her 27 years on the court reshaped our understanding of the basic tenets of equality and justice."
"While the family of New York mourns Justice Ginsburg's death, we remember proudly that she started her incredible journey right here in Brooklyn," he continued. "Her legacy will live on in the progress she created for our society, and this statue will serve as a physical reminder of her many contributions to the America we know today and as an inspiration for those who will continue to build on her immense body of work for generations to come."
Cuomo also announced that New York landmarks including One World Trade Center and Grand Central Terminal will be lit blue, "the color of justice," he said.
On Ginsburg's birthday last year, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams proposed naming the Brooklyn Municipal Building after Ginsburg, because it is one of the most prominent buildings in downtown Brooklyn. Adams said at the time, "Justice Ginsburg is a daughter of Brooklyn... What better way to honor a monumental legal legend than with a monument of her own and what better birthday gift can we give her than a building!"
Such a name change is possible if Mayor Bill de Blasio approves it. He did, Adams' office pointed out last year, rename the Manhattan Municipal Building after former Mayor David Dinkins.
Update, September 21st: During a call with reporters on Monday, Cuomo said, "I'm going to announce a commission that will work on the statue and exactly how we want it depicted. I'll be doing that this week. We're looking at possible locations. We're considering Brooklyn Bridge Park on a site that would overlook the Statue of Liberty so we're considering that."
