Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has made history one final time by becoming the first woman — as well as the first Jewish person — to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, according to CNN.
A ceremony was held there to remember her today with speeches, tears and two songs sung by her friend, opera singer Denyce Graves.
“She changed the course of American law,” Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt said, according to Reuters. “And even when her views did not prevail, she still fought.”
Her personal trainer of 20 years, Bryant Johnson, even did three push-ups in front of the casket in her honor, as Ginsburg was known for her vigorous workout regimen. Ginsburg’s relatives as well as her friends, presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife and lawmakers from both parties were in attendance. The ceremony at the Capitol was limited to around 100 guests who wore masks and sat in socially distanced chairs.
Ginsburg’s fans and admirers paid respects outdoors at her coffin for the past two days during a public viewing under the Supreme Court’s portico. President Donald Trump was met with jeers of “Vote Him Out” by the large crowd when he showed up there to pay his respects on Thursday.
Ginsburg died last Friday at the age of 87 as a result of complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. She sat on the Supreme Court for more than 27 years.
