By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green residents gathered in Wooster Green Saturday evening to mourn the woman who fought for their rights and to brace themselves to continue those battles in her absence.
About 70 people – primarily women – stood in silence holding posters and candles. Among them were those old enough to remember life prior to Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s defense of women’s rights to have their own checking accounts and mortgages. There were younger women who were able to marry whomever they loved because of Ginsberg. And there were children who idolized the Supreme Court Justice as a small but mighty hero.
“She is my daughter’s hero,” said Katie Stygles, of 9-year-old Molly.
Molly, who was wearing a “Notorious RBG” T-shirt at the vigil, explained her admiration for Ginsberg.
“Because she didn’t give up,” she said.
The vigil was organized by Rawnica Dillingham, who moved to Bowling Green six weeks ago. When she learned of Ginsberg’s death Friday evening, she felt lost without being able to mourn with her former community.
“Sadness and terror overcame me,” she said.
So Dillingham reached out to Stygles to see if her new community of Bowling Green might share her sense of loss.
She found many here who mourned with her for the loss of Ginsberg.
“She made it so girls can marry girls, and boys can marry boys, and girls can do everything boys do,” Stygles said.
“How fierce and strong that tiny woman was,” she said.
Stygles spoke of the impact Ginsberg had on her life.
“She made sure my marriage could be recognized in a court of law,” Stygles said. And she defended workplace protections for those in the LGBTQ community.
Like many of those at the vigil, Amy Craft Ahrens was shaken by Ginsberg’s death.
“I was devastated last night,” she said. “She’s been a hero of mine for decades. I’ve watched as she used the Constitution to fight for women’s and men’s rights for decades.”
Lisa Lawson LaPointe shared those feelings.
“She kept the court in line, and she was one of our last defenses for sanity,” she said.
Kim Waterfield spoke of Ginsberg’s “gravitas.”
“She’s been such a huge deal to me and so many other women,” she said. Without her presence on the court, “I’m scared.”
Anne Bullerjahn, a neighbor of Katie Stygles and her wife, Kate Kamphuis, said she felt drawn to attend the vigil.
“I’m so upset about her death,” Bullerjahn said. “I just felt like I should do something.”
Calla Higgins, 12, spoke to the vigil crowd of her experiences.
“Sexism has been a big part” of her life, Calla said, mentioning RBG’s efforts to stand up for people’s rights.
And Debbie Dalke talked about Ginsberg’s seemingly endless energy – despite running into frequent roadblocks.
“She got up, she didn’t lose her optimism,” Dalke said. “That’s something that amazes me.”
In addition to her impact on the Supreme Court, those at the vigil also spoke of Ginsberg’s remarkable life. They talked of her love affair with her husband, and her close friendship with conservative justice Antonin Scalia. They recalled the collars she wore over her black robe – most notably her “dissent” collar.
Some men also paid their respects to Ginsberg at the vigil.
“As a gay man, it means the world what she has done,” said Dominic Gattozzi.
Jacob Clemens came with his 5-year-old daughter, who will benefit from Ginsberg’s efforts, he said.
“I think it’s important to stand in solidarity,” he said. “We’ve all benefited from her work.”
Chris Douglas, who has helped organize other rallies on Wooster Green for BRAVE (Black Rights, Activism, Visibility and Equity) came to support his community and his girlfriend.
“I think it’s a great thing that people are out here,” he said.
Lawrence Coates spoke of Ginsberg’s work on environmental justice – and the need to continue her battles.
“I’m here to honor RBG and her legacy,” he said. “This gives us a sense of community before we go out and fight tomorrow.”
Many of those present expressed concern about Ginsberg’s replacement on the court.
“We were hoping she would hang in there. This is a terrible, terrible loss at this time for our country,” Dillingham said. “I am really fearful of her not being there to fight for our rights.”
Lawson Lapointe talked about “the hypocrisy of it all,” with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refusing to replace Scalia when President Barack Obama was in office, but now wanting to rush through an appointment with the election less than two months away.
Bullerjahn is holding out hope that enough Senate Republicans will refuse to quickly push through a replacement for Ginsberg.
“I really hope all those people who said they will wait actually wait,” she said.
Clemens shared his concerns about the future of the Supreme Court.
“I am immensely worried,” he said. “The court was supposed to be a place of critical thinking, not a political tool.”
Those at the vigil were urged to continue Ginsberg’s battles by voting, holding rallies, and showing civil disobedience.
“We have to keep up the fight for her,” Stygles said. “RBG never gave up, and if we are to honor her, we must never give up.”
