Mayor de Blasio, First Lady McCray, Borough President Eric Adams and Family of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Rename the Brooklyn Municipal Building in Her Honor

March 15, 2021

Video available at: https://youtu.be/XoSUEdW7NUI

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray was today joined by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the family of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to rename the Brooklyn Municipal Building the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building.

"Today we honor a true daughter of Brooklyn: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg " said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Justice Ginsburg fought for justice and equality her entire life. May her memory, and this building, inspire generations of New Yorkers to stand up, speak out and make our country a better place for all who call it home."

"Justice Ginsburg's legacy of leadership and activism has inspired thousands of women to further their education, and serve with distinction and excellence," said First Lady Chirlane McCray. "A daughter of Brooklyn, she spent her career fighting for gender equity and standing up for women's rights. Her spirit will live on in this building, and generations of women and girls will continue her fight for equality and justice for all."

"Almost three years ago, we launched a campaign to re-name the Brooklyn Municipal Building in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a proud daughter of Brooklyn and a legal trailblazer. Her tireless advocacy throughout her career on behalf of the marginalized in our society is an enduring example to us all. While she is no longer with us, her legacy shines bright in the millions and millions of lives she changed for the better. Thanks to this re-naming, generations of Brooklynites and New Yorkers will learn about her achievements — and know that they too can carry the baton she has passed to us for the next leg of our march toward a more just, equitable society," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

"It is an honor to participate in the renaming of Brooklyn Municipal Building for my mother, Ruth Bader Ginsburg," said Jane Ginsburg. "A daughter of Brooklyn, she was born here 88 years ago today. Brooklyn institutions shaped my mother's intellectual development. Not just its public schools, but also the public library, the Brooklyn Museum, and especially the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For all the family, I thank you for this grand event."

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn on March 15, 1933 and went on to graduate from James Madison High School in 1950. In 1993, she become the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, serving until her death in September 2020. On the bench, she was known for her deep sense of justice and fairness, fighting for women's equality among other issues. New Yorkers of every borough are better off because of her service to this country.

The Brooklyn Municipal Building, built in 1924, is located at 210 Joralemon Street in downtown Brooklyn. Newly installed plaques honoring the late Justice Ginsburg are located on both sides of the building's main entrance. Borough President Eric Adams first called for the renaming of the building after Justice Ginsburg in 2018.

"Justice Ginsburg was a beloved New Yorker who dedicated her life to the pursuit of equal justice under law," said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. "It is only fitting that we honor her extraordinary life and legacy here in her home borough."

"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg's legacy as a jurist was incredible - inspiring, progressive and just. Her impact on the court was tremendous in scope and in value as we strive for an America that lives up to its promise– her resilience seemed unmatchable as she worked to fulfill that promise. She was a proud Brooklynite, and with this renaming Brooklyn is proclaiming that we are proud to be home to a brilliant mind, a fearless fighter, a diligent public servant who spent her life dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of the vulnerable," said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left an incomparable legacy that will echo through history. The Brooklyn Municipal Building will bear the name of a remarkable and brilliant jurist, a resolute champion of justice and a trailblazer for women's rights. Renaming the Brooklyn Municipal Building the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building is a fitting testament and tribute of her distinguished career, accomplishments and service to New York and nation. She will forever be a feminist icon who inspired generations of young women--myself included--to follow their dreams, break through barriers and never let gender stand in the way," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

"Before Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left an indelible mark on our country and inspired millions around the world, she grew up in Brooklyn as a young woman unafraid to stand firm for what she believed. With her commitment to bettering the lives of women, her unwavering, principled sense of what was right, and her searing brilliance—all wrapped up in a faint but unmistakable Brooklyn accent—Justice Ginsburg fought relentlessly for a fairer, more just America," said Representative Jerry Nadler. "I'm so glad that the Brooklyn Municipal Building will be renamed the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building: it's a fitting honor for a true champion of equality and public service and a wonderful celebration of one of Brooklyn's proudest daughters."

"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one of Brooklyn's favorite daughters. She was a giant of the Supreme Court who fought tirelessly for equal treatment and justice under the law. It is fitting that our Municipal Building now stands in her honor and I thank all who made this renaming possible," said Representative Hakeem Jeffries.

"It is a great personal honor for me to join our Mayor, Borough President and family members of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg today as we rename the Brooklyn Municipal Building after Justice Ginsburg, on the day she would have turned 88. The Brooklyn Municipal Building is a center of culture and conscience in our borough. Just this past summer, in front of these great pillars, we painted 'Black Lives Matter' in the street. The building's history is a representation of our steadfast commitment to social justice, and now, that commitment will be reflected in its name, honoring one of our nation's greatest social justice warriors, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka the 'Notorious RBG," said Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.

"I am so proud that we are honoring Justice Ginsberg, a daughter of Brooklyn, by renaming the Brooklyn Municipal Building after her and keeping her outsized legacy alive. As a lawyer, she argued six cases before the Supreme Court, winning five of them - an outstanding record for any lawyer. Brooklyn is dedicated to keeping her commitment to equality and democracy alive. Happy birthday, Justice Ginsberg!" said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon.

"Today is a celebration of HERstoric proportions because we are memorializing a Brooklyn-born champion for gender equality, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. From Harvard Law School to the Supreme Court, she transformed the barriers that she encountered into opportunities to end gender-based discrimination. It is truly fitting that on her birthday and during Women's HERstory Month, we are renaming the Brooklyn Municipal Building to commemorate her legacy after decades of public service. May her courage, strength, perseverance, and illustrious career continue to inspire future generations," said Council Member Farah N. Louis, Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus.

"For over 27 years, Justice Ginsburg served on the Supreme Court as a titan for justice and equality, presiding over cases that limited environmental pollution, legalized same-sex marriage, ensured workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans, and guaranteed equal access to education for women. As one of a few women to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg was a role model to young girls across the country to be independent and to stand in your power. Her legacy will forever be cemented in US History as an advocate for women's rights, gender equality, and for guaranteeing protections for marginalized communities. We will never forget her dedication to her work and commitment to public service," said Council Member Vanessa Gibson, Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus.

"The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon not just for her decades of remarkable service to our nation, but also her passionate advocacy for women's equality, her steadfast pursuit of justice, and her lasting legacy of inspiring generations of young people," said Council Member Adrienne Adams. "It is only appropriate to rename the Brooklyn Municipal Building for "The Notorious RBG" in the borough where she was born and raised, and where she went on to become a brilliant jurist. This renaming is just one of many ways we will remember her contributions to making our country a more perfect union."

"We honor Ruth Bader Ginsberg here in Brooklyn because this is the place that fostered her brilliance. She grew up in an immigrant community in the working class neighborhood of Flatbush, and she excelled not because society thought she could excel, but because she and her family knew the value of education. She elevated what it means to be an American, and now we are elevating Brooklyn by renaming our Municipal Building after her. What is important about her is that she fought for equality and justice. She said "I don't say women's rights - I say the constitutional principle of the equal citizenship stature of men and women." These are powerful words. I hope that everyone who enters this building from now on will live up to her ideals. I hope that the world sees that her values are our values," said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.

"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a pioneer in jurisprudence, feminism in the workplace, and justice for our nation. These are remarkable feats, but even more impressive that she was from Brooklyn. It is vital for her image to be here in Brooklyn for future generations to see and respect. Justice Ginsburg was as equally brilliant as she was brave and was able to open doors for many other brilliant women who are in law today because of her vision and leadership. As Chair of Women and Gender Equity committee in the NYC Council, her statement "fight for the things that you care about, but also do it in a way that will lead others to join you" is a quote that hits home for me. I have lived a life of service just as she did. Justice Ginsburg has been an example for many women who have followed in her footsteps. It is an honor to be a woman in leadership at a time when her historical career and legacy is a tribute for all to see," said Council Member Darma Diaz.

It is a great honor to join Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the family of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the many distinguished members of the legal community as we rename the Brooklyn Municipal Building in her honor. Justice Ginsburg was not only a proud daughter of Brooklyn, she also demonstrated the importance of standing up for equal rights, women's rights, and for a more just and fair society for all people. By renaming this historic building in honor of Justice Ginsburg, we will be instilling an appreciation for her work in all who visit our wonderful borough. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a remarkable leader, a skilled legal mind, and an inspiration to all who studied her work. She played a historic role on our nation's highest court and demonstrated an ability to pursue justice for all human beings. May God bless her memory and her legacy of advocating for fairness and equality on a global scale," said Council Member Mathieu Eugene.

"One of Brooklyn's fiercest and wisest daughters, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg truly fought for American democracy. Whether she was striving for women's equality or maintaining justice on a daily basis, Justice Ginsburg had a deep sense of fortitude that has inspired generations and will continue to do so for those to come. May the new Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building endow all who walk through it with the great integrity and honor of its namesake," said Council Member Karen Koslowitz.

"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon: a legendary jurist and a bright ray of hope for those whose rights were threatened by malicious actors, in or out of government," said Council Member Carlina Rivera. "Before Justice Ginsburg was named the second woman to the United States Supreme Court, she was Ruth Bader from Flatbush. I'm honored to join in celebrating her memory, and hope the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Municipal Building stands as a promise of what's possible for all New Yorkers."