Megan Rapinoe, USWNT pay tribute to gender equality icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The Supreme Court Justice, who dedicated her life to fighting for equality, died on Friday at the age of 87. 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a veteran Supreme Court Justice who died on Friday after a battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer, was a champion for equality. She was only the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court, and in over 20 years on the court and a lifetime of service, she paved the road to equality for generations of women.

One group of women who have made no secret of their admiration for the Notorious RBG is the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, who have been engaged in their own battle for equal rights within the U.S. Soccer Federation. It is no surprise that they were one of the first sports organizations to respond to the Justice’s death on social media, tweeting “Rest in peace, RBG… An icon, leader and inspiration.”

The jersey that the USWNT featured in their tweet was worn by Becky Sauerbrunn, a captain and veteran defender for the United States, during the 2019 SheBelieves Cup. In that match, players chose to wear the names of women who inspired them. Sauerbrunn’s jersey was sent to Ginsburg, who responded with a letter saying that she would wear the kit during her biweekly workouts.

Sauerbrunn tweeted about the Justice soon after the announcement of her death, saying “RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A progressive icon, a legend, and a fighter to the last.”

What other women’s soccer stars had to say about Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Sauerbrunn wasn’t the only player tweeting out her condolences. Megan Rapinoe, arguably the most famous women’s soccer player in the country, if not the world, tweeted, “This is devastating, an incalculable loss. We owe so much to RBG. Rest in Power Ruth Bader Ginsburg. #RIPRBG.”

Karina Leblanc, a former star for Canada and the NWSL, tweeted in part, “May we all take a piece of your fight and truth and play a part in making this world better, bit by bit.” Lisa Baird, the NWSL commissioner, also added her voice on social media.

“You have a legacy left that few who have walked on this earth can claim,” Baird said. “Rest knowing that we will carry on your fight.”