OREGON JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT September 24, 2020 Open Letter In Memoriam, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, After 27 years on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a brilliant jurist and beloved role model, has died. This devastating news was deeply felt by current and former judges across America, including by us, women who have served the state of Oregon as judges. From her inspiration over these many decades, each of us has drawn courage and strength to overcome challenges in pursuing a legal career and to answer the call to the bench. Justice Ginsburg was a remarkable leader and steadfast advocate for women’s rights – and equal rights for all – and in her measured but zealous and persistent manner she paved the way for all of us who followed. She demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, engaged in tireless efforts to achieve justice, and she exhibited grace and civility in all these endeavors. These traits enabled her to see the humanity in all and work amicably with others despite differing views of applicable law. Her written and spoken words were approachable in a way that made the law accessible to all. Justice Ginsburg’s integrity and openness contributed to public confidence in the justice system, and she was very generous with her time as a speaker. It is difficult to accept her death. But on behalf of 99 current and former women judges of the Oregon Supreme Court, Oregon Court of Appeals, circuit court from counties around the state, and the U.S. District Court of Oregon, we will go forward by striving to live up to the legacy Justice Ginsburg has left to guide us. Nan Waller, Martha Walters, Marci Adkisson, Cheryl Albrecht, Ann Aiken, Beth Allen, Robyn Aoyagi, Sheryl Bachart, Amy Baggio, Beth Bagley, Cynthia Beaman, Leslie Bottomly, Alta Brady, Audrey Broyles, Marcia Buckley, Frances Burge, Claudia Burton, Cathleen Callahan, Suzanne Chanti, Jennifer Chapman, Rita Cobb, Laura Cromwell, Kathleen Dailey, Mary Deits, Joan Demarest, Rebecca Duncan, Cynthia Easterday, Alycia Edgeworth Kersey, Allison Emerson, Bethany Flint, Meagan Flynn, Julie Frantz, Jenefer Grant, Lisa Greif, Rebecca Guptill, Erika Hadlock, Annette Hillman, Lauren Holland, Amy Holmes Hehn, Megan Jacquot, Mary James, Andrea Janney, Kathleen Johnson, Nely Johnson, Jacqueline Kamins, Heather Karabeika, Rachel Kittson-MaQatish, Paula Kurshner, Erin Lagesen, Virginia Linder, Ann Lininger, Morgan Long, Valeri Love, Angela Lucero, Judith Matarazzo, Cindee Matyas, Jean Maurer, Sarah McGlaughlin, Pat McGuire, Dawn McIntosh, Karrie McIntyre, Heidi Moawad, Jodie Mooney, Lynn Nakamoto, Adrienne Nelson, Susie Norby, Darleen Ortega, Roxanne Osborne, Karen Ostrye, Cheryl Pellegrini, Tracy Prall, Kathleen Proctor, Clara Rigmaiden, Beth Roberts, Leslie Roberts, Illisa Rooke-Ley, Ellen Rosenblum, Shelley Russell, Kamala Shugar, Anne Marie Simmons, Kelly Skye, Merri Souther Wyatt, Janet Stauffer, Kathie Steele, Diana Stuart, Susan Svetkey, Alycia Sykora, Eva Temple, Xiomara Torres, Mari Trevino, Susan Tripp, Debra Velure, Kathryn Villa-Smith, Daina Vitolins, Debra Vogt, Katharine von Ter Stegge, Ulanda Watkins, Katherine Weber, Janelle Wipper .