‘A beautiful homage’: People applaud as RBG statue unveiled in Brooklyn

Late Supreme Court Justice, who died in September, was born and raised in Brooklyn

RBG statue unveiled in Brooklyn in honour of her birthday and Women’s History Month (Getty Images)

People are applauding a new statue of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and reflecting on her memory after a sculpture of the late Supreme Court Justice was unveiled just days before her 88th birthday.

The bronze statue of Ginsburg, which depicts the feminist icon wearing one of her famous “dissent collars,” was unveiled Friday in her birthplace of Brooklyn, New York, in honour of both her upcoming birthday and Women’s History Month.

In a statement, Gillie and Marc, the artists behind the statue, as well as others depicting notable women that they have created and installed all over New York City, said: “We had the honour and privilege to create Justice Ginsburg’s dignified likeness in everlasting bronze as a part of Statues for Equality.

“With the two steps on its large base representing the Supreme Court and the climb she made to get there, the work is designed to provide the public with an opportunity to stand at her side, and gain inspiration from her journey fighting for equal rights.”

As noted by Time Out, the Supreme Court Justice also gave her consent prior to the production of the statue.

Read more: Why aren’t there enough statues of women?

Following the unveiling, people praised the tribute to the late women’s rights champion, who died in September from pancreatic cancer.

“The RBG statue they just unveiled in Brooklyn is just a beautiful homage to her legacy and all her hard work,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another said: “A lovely tribute for an amazing woman.”

“Love it! She was a true American hero. Nice to see her commemorated with a statue,” someone else wrote.

Ahead of the unveiling, New York State Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn said she was “humbled and honoured to ring in the joyous occasion,” adding that “women are underrepresented in the cultural landscape of our city and it’s about time we change that,” according to Good Morning America.

“She is a role model to me and to everyone everywhere,” Bichotte Hermelyn continued. “Her legacy will live on.”

The statue, which is located in City Point, Brooklyn, will be open to the public through scheduled viewings.