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I listened to this in October, 2019. Today I’ve changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars . Rest In peace RBG .
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I knew before I started to listen to My Own Words that it was not going to be the same as “in my own words��, that it was not going to be read in total by Ruth Bader Ginsburg . I wish it had been. It’s not that actress Linda Lavin didn’t do a great job of reading some of RBG’s speeches and writings, in providing biographical information and a run down of her achievements. It was that when I heard Ginsburg’s voice, I genuinely got a sense of her amazing intellect and wit and will and I just wanted to hear more from her. Having said that, the book provides an informative look at the this woman, called notorious, but I could add, fearless, tenacious, and she’s pretty funny, too. When Lavin reads RBG’s eighth grade editorial piece where she highlighted writings she considered important such as the Ten Commandments, the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the UN Charter, we get a glimpse of how she was such an achiever and a thinker at such an early age. She was a pioneer for women in the legal profession and became the the first tenured female law professor at Columbia Law School. Her ground breaking cases before the Supreme Court on gender equality and other sex discrimination cases are highlighted mostly by Lavin . I have to admit these selections of readings and discussion of them were a little dry, but nonetheless, they are so important and I managed to get through them.

The most enjoyable segments were those read by Ginsburg herself. I loved her nomination acceptance speech and her opening statement at the Senate Confirmation Hearing. She pays tribute to women in speeches honoring Sandra Day O’Conner, the first woman Supreme Court Judge, pays tribute in another to the wives of the male justices. It’s a mix of her professional achievements as well as a personal depiction which I thoroughly enjoyed. Some of the most humorous and poignant readings were by RBG’s husband, Marty Ginsburg, whose introduction of her at a couple of events reflect their love for each other. Women, actually men, as well, owe her great debt of gratitude. When asked when there would be enough women on the Supreme Court ; she answers “Nine ��. How can I not love this woman ? We need to pray for her health every day.