Ruth Bader Ginsburg's family opposes Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch's inclusion in female-exclusive honor
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's family expressed disagreement with the decision to award Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch the namesake award, which has traditionally honored women. However, many social media users chimed in to defend the awardees.
Musk has faced criticism for his social media comments regarding Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott's charitable activities, which he later deleted.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg's family disappointed by namesake award going to Elon Muska and Rupert Murdoch
According to the Daily Mail, Ginsburg's family criticized the decision to award the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award to Musk and Murdoch, among other awardees. The Opperman Foundation has been awarding this honor since 2020 to exceptional individuals.
This year's recipients include actor Sylvester Stallone, financier Michael Milken, and fashion icon Martha Stewart, in addition to billionaire Musk and ex-Fox News chairman Murdoch.
Ginsburg, the renowned late Supreme Court justice, consistently championed progressive causes during her 27-year tenure on the bench. The Daily Mail reports that her family condemned the foundation's choices as disrespectful to her memory, without specifically mentioning the two conservative billionaires.
Ginsburg's family expressed disappointment, stating, "Not everyone on this year's slate reflects the values to which the Justice dedicated her career, and for which the Justice is rightly revered around the world."
The Daily Mail reports Ginsburg's family's criticism of the foundation, citing that it "has strayed far from the original mission of the award and from what Justice Ginsburg stood for."
They emphasized, "Her legacy is one of deep commitment to justice and to the proposition that all persons deserve what she called 'equal citizenship stature' under the Constitution. She was a singularly powerful voice for the equality and empowerment of women, including their ability to control their own bodies."
Ginsburg's family debunked claims of any involvement in selecting the award recipients and requested Ginsburg's name be withdrawn from it. Initially, the award recognized outstanding women who positively influenced society and served as role models, but this year, the foundation expanded it to include men as well.
Foundation chair Julie Opperman explained, "Going forward, to embrace the fullness of Justice Ginsburg's legacy, we honor both women and men who have changed the world by doing what they do best."
The Daily Mail reports that the foundation described this year's honorees as "path-breaking innovators" and seasoned professionals across various fields and industries.
Internet users assert Ruth Bader Ginsburg's family should 'shut up'
Many readers commented against Ginsburg's family's objection.
A user wrote, "Ginsburg's family furious honorees don't all reflect her progressive values - yet only gave awards to women! Think they need to go and research what reflect her progress values mean."
Another user wrote, "Gender equality works both ways."
A user commented, "Does the family control the voting? If not then they should shut up. "
Another user commented, "Her family are sexist. How ironic."
A user stated, "Why outrage? Ginsburg was a known advocate for gender equality."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
