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A 2014 Retrospective Of The Notorious RBG

by Abby Johnston

This year, the Notorious RBG had heart surgery, celebrated her 81st birthday, and served her 21st year on the Supreme Court of the United States. But most of all, 2014 was the year that everyone realized that she is a total badass. So let's take a moment to reflect on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's 2014 and all of the wonderful legal language and Internet memes it has given us.

The five-foot tall justice cut her male colleagues to their knees using only a her words. She threw the IDGAF-face with aplomb. She made black robes with horrible doily frills a Halloween staple. Although she has been a Supreme Court justice since 1993, she struck a new chord this year with her biting, 35-page Hobby Lobby dissent in June. Basically, she America's liberal grandma, but instead of cookies she gives us justice.

RBG should be thanked for many things, if at the very least for renewing a younger generation's faith in the court system and the competence of its key players. So join us as we celebrate the supreme badass that is our feminist mother dragon and her fantastic year. Because after all, how many other Supreme Court justices have a nickname that riffs off of Biggie?

She Graced The Cover Of The New Republic, Then Cancelled Her Subscription

Her interview with Jeffrey Rosen became the adulatory cover story for The New Republic's October 13 issue. In November she gave the toast at the magazine's 100th anniversary gala. Then, after a series of dastardly editorial shakeups caused half of the staff to jump ship, she canceled her subscription to the very magazine that put her on the cover. She. Doesn't. Play.

She Told Texas What's What

Tom Pennington/Getty Images News/Getty Images

In October, RBG wrote a six-page dissent on the Texas voter ID law that would create disproportional barriers to black and Hispanic voters. Although Ginsburg was critical of that particular law, she also let the court know that this was not an isolated incident for the state, saying that "racial discrimination in elections in Texas is no mere historical artifact. To the contrary, Texas has been found in violation of the Voting Rights Act in every redistricting cycle from and after 1970." Oof, as a Texan I cringed a little bit at this one, but hey girl, I support you.

The Internet Created RBG Magic

They brought her together with Bey.

I mean, just stop. I can't. My heart can't take it this intersection.

She Admitted She Owned Notorious RBG Shirts

The popular Tumblr and shirt memorializing the Notorious RBG was not lost on the high priestess herself. RBG admitted that she owned "quite a large supply" of the shirts, which her law clerks explained to her. Her grandchildren are reportedly big fans.

Images: The New Republic, Getty Images, Tumblr/BeyonceVoters, Kara McGrath