Controversy Surrounds RBG Award Ceremony
Amidst mounting controversy, the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation has announced the cancellation of its award ceremony intended to honor recipients of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award.
The decision comes in response to vehement objections from the late justice’s family over the selection of certain honorees, including Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch.
Opperman Foundation’s Chair, Julie Opperman, in a statement said that “the last thing we intended was to offend the family and friends of RBG.”
“Our intention was solely to commemorate her legacy and pay tribute to her leadership.
While we hold each of the honorees in high regard for their contributions and leadership qualities, the Foundation has made the decision to cancel the scheduled ceremony in April 2024,” stated Opperman.
Honoring a Champion of Women’s Rights
Established in 2019 by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg herself, the award was originally conceived to celebrate women exemplifying qualities of empathy and humility. However, this year’s slate of recipients diverged significantly from the award’s initial intent, with four out of five honorees being men.
Last week, the foundation unveiled this year’s lineup of recipients for the prestigious “RBG Leadership” award, previously known as the “Ruth Bader Ginsburg Women in Leadership” award.
Among the esteemed honorees were lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, renowned actor Sylvester Stallone, and esteemed financier who faced notoriety for corporate malpractice in the 1980s before later transitioning into philanthropy after serving a prison sentence – Michael Milken.
Elon Musk, the tech mogul known for his outspoken demeanor towards critics; Rupert Murdoch, the media magnate credited with shaping conservative news media are also included.
A Family’s Outcry
The Ginsburg family expressed deep dismay and disapproval regarding the foundation’s choice of honorees. Jane C. Ginsburg, the justice’s daughter and a law professor at Columbia University, described the decision as an affront to her mother’s values.
Similarly, James S. Ginsburg, her son and founder of Cedille Records, vehemently opposed the inclusion of Musk and Murdoch, labeling it a desecration of his mother’s memory.
Julie Opperman, chairwoman of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, issued a statement expressing regret for any offence caused to the Ginsburg family.
She clarified in a statement that ” We have no interest in sparking debates regarding the worthiness of specific honorees. Despite the controversial nature of Justice Ginsburg’s advocacy for gender equality throughout her life, our intention is not to engage in contentious discussions. J
ustice Ginsburg was renowned for her civility, and we aim to uphold her legacy in that regard.”
Opperman Foundation Responds and Reevaluates
The Opperman Foundation announced its intention to “reconsider its mission,” indicating a potential shift in its objectives and priorities. However, the foundation did not provide clarity on whether the selected individuals, including Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch, would still be recipients of the award.
Nonetheless, in light of the outcry, the foundation opted to cancel the planned ceremony, slated for April 2024.
With the cancellation of the ceremony, the foundation has committed to reassessing its mission and considering its next steps. The fate of this year’s selected recipients remains uncertain, with no decision yet made on whether they will still receive the award.
A Legacy of Progressivism
Throughout her tenure on the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg emerged as a stalwart advocate for gender equality and social justice.
Her dissents, often delivered with piercing clarity, became rallying cries for progressive causes. Amanda L. Tyler, a former law clerk of Justice Ginsburg, emphasized the importance of any award bearing her name in honoring her remarkable legacy.
Previous recipients of the award have included notable figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, and the multifaceted actress and singer Barbra Streisand.