New York State Capitol unveils relief portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

(JNS) - Her iconic white lace collar translated in carved stone, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is now memorialized in the New York State Capitol in Albany, N.Y.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul posted photos on Monday of the relief sculpture portrait created by artist Meredith Bergman, which now emanates from a wall near the capitol's Great Western staircase. It was the first time in 125 years, she wrote, that a new portrait carving was added to the historic capitol building.

"Throughout her career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg served as a driving force for women's rights and tirelessly fought against gender discrimination," Hochul, a Democrat, said at the portrait unveiling.

"As the first woman to be elected as governor of New York State, I join the ranks of millions of women inspired by Justice Ginsburg's wisdom and courage," she said. "Her portrait's presence in the capitol will stand as a lasting reminder of her extraordinary legacy and New York State's forefront position in the movements for women's suffrage and rights."

Ginsburg, who died at the age of 87 on Sept. 18, 2020-right before the start of Rosh Hashanah that year-was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She graduated from Cornell University in 1954 at the top of her class and was first in her graduating class at Columbia Law School in 1959.