Ruth Bader Ginsburg postage stamp on sale now

To honor the life and work of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the U.S. Postal Service released a new commemorative stamp Monday.

Ginsberg, who died in September 2020 at the age of 87, served on the Supreme Court for 27 years.

Where is the Ruth Bader Ginsberg stamp available?

The new "Forever" stamp is available as of Monday − the first day of the 2023 session of the Supreme Court − at usps.com/shopstamps and post offices around the country. The stamp’s unveiling took place at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. during a public first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony.

Ginsberg's granddaughter Clara Spera, a lecturer at Harvard Law School and senior associate with the WilmerHale law firm, was present at the ceremony.

The RBG stamp shows the 107th U.S. Supreme Court justice in her black judicial robe and favorite white-lace collar. It was designed by Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, with a Michael J. Deas oil painting that was based on a photograph by Philip Bermingham.

According to USPS officials, beyond the stamp’s aesthetic appeal, the release of the stamp represents an opportunity to reflect on Ginsburg’s enduring contributions to civil rights and gender equality, and her commitment to making America a more equitable and just society for all.

Who was Ruth Bader Ginsberg?

Nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as a Supreme Court justice in 1993, Ginsburg was a lifelong trailblazer as a woman in a male-dominated field. A native of Brooklyn, Ginsberg was a law professor and active lawyer eho was an expert on anti-discrimination and equal protection law. She first became a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980. As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, Ginsberg was known to be unafraid to dissent from her colleagues in steadfast defense of her principles.

Those strong dissents on socially controversial rulings made her an icon of American culture and earned her the moniker "Notorious R.B.G."

Her multifaceted legacy includes legal and social changes she helped to bring about, her example of tenacity and perseverance in the service of meaningful work as well as the passion that she brought to her dissents in defense of principles she held dear.

After her death, Ginsberg lay in repose for two days at the Supreme Court after which, during a private ceremony, she was the first woman to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol.

A tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Even after her death, Ginsberg is continued to be considered as a role model to countless people worldwide.

The stamp is meant to serve as a lasting tribute to Ginsberg who left an indelible impact on American jurisprudence and society at large, said USPS officials.

"Justice Ginsburg was an iconic figure who dedicated her life to public service and the pursuit of justice," said USPS Board of Governors Chairman Roman Martinez IV. "She was a true pioneer, and it is our honor to celebrate her incredible legacy in this way. This stamp serves not just as a tribute but as an inspiration for future generations to uphold the values she fought for."

The Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp is being issued as a "Forever" stamp and is available in panes of 20. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. As of July, USPS First Class stamps are $0.66 a piece.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Ruth Bader Ginsburg postage stamp on sale now