Last Saturday morning I got up early, as I was to be a guest on RTÉ Countrywide to discuss the first part of the Cutting through the Bull labelling article I wrote. Read the second part of this here. As I sat down at my desk and opened my phone the notifications went ping, ping, ping. The Notorious RBG had passed away. I was not gripped by shock as Ruth Bader Ginsburg was 87 and the health problems she had suffered in her latter years were well documented. To my shame, I actually thought: “Dang it Ruth, could you not have held out till November?”

Ruth was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton to the American Supreme Court in 1993. These are positions for life unless the judge decides to step down. Personally, I do not agree that anyone should be given a job for life, even an icon of women’s rights like RBG.

My reaction to the news of her death was due to the fact that the decision to replace her now falls to President Trump

And her decision not to step down during the presidential term of Barack Obama, so that he could appoint a liberal leaning younger judge, was not seen as her finest decision. Although it doesn’t detract from her legacy.

My reaction to the news of her death was due to the fact that the decision to replace her now falls to President Trump. The balance of the nine-person bench, which is already conservative leaning, will be very conservatively skewed with another Trump appointment. Even if Trump does not get re-elected in November, her replacement will cast a long shadow.

The sceptic in me thought that there was some artistic license taken with the characters

Thankfully, RBG’s will be even longer. Her work to end gender discrimination in American law actually achieved this end. I have read much about RBG and her husband Marty since watching the 2018 biopic – On the Basis of Sex. The sceptic in me thought that there was some artistic license taken with the characters. But RBG said that the depiction of her husband in the movie is entirely accurate.

This was a partnership of equals and he was not only happy to see her shine, but pushed her to get there. I have often heard women who have reached the top of the ladder professionally, proclaim that they “did it themselves” and “if I can do it, so can other women”.

I had a life partner who thought my work was as important as his

I don’t buy that. In my view, it is often the people behind the scenes that enable someone to achieve their potential and that can be a partner, friend or colleague. It might be the person that simple says: “Yes you can.” Marty, an extremely accomplished man in his own right, campaigned to see his wife become a Supreme Court judge. She said of him: “I had a life partner who thought my work was as important as his, and I think that made all the difference for me.”

When Helena Morrissey set up the 30% club with an aim to increase female representation on boards of companies, the response was not so positive. But this changed too and now women occupy 32% of the board seats in UK FTSE 350 companies.

There are lots of men championing women in this country

What changed for this to happen? The founders credit a number of factors, but the involvement of men – particularly chairs of FTSE 100 companies – was critical. So on the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I want to give recognition to Marty, who passed away in 2010, who supported this incredible women to make a real difference in the world. There are lots of men championing women in this country. It’s making a difference.