US Navy to rename ship after Ruth Bader Ginsburg

RBG is ‘instrumental to why we now have women of all backgrounds, experiences and talents serving within our ranks’, Navy Secretary says

Bevan Hurley
Friday 01 April 2022 15:11 BST
Comments
Directors of Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary RBG talk about the importance of their subject

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The US Navy will name a fuel ship after Ruth Bader Ginsburg in recognition of her trailblazing advocacy of women’s rights, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has announced.

The late Supreme Court Justice’s work to promote gender equality was “instrumental” in inspiring women to serve in the armed forces, Mr Del Toro said.

A future oil replenishment T-AO 212 ship, the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will be “the first to bear her name”, he said.

“As we close out women’s history month, it is my absolute honour to name the next T-AO after the Honourable Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“She is a historic figure who vigorously advocated for women’s rights and gender equality,” Mr Del Toro said in a statement.

The USNS Yukon (pictured) is the same T-AO 202 class as the ship being named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The USNS Yukon (pictured) is the same T-AO 202 class as the ship being named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg (US Navy)

“She is instrumental to why we now have women of all backgrounds, experiences and talents serving within our ranks, side by side with their male Sailor and Marine counterparts,” he added.

Ginsburg, known by her legion of admirers as the Notorious RBG, died in September 2020 at the age of 87 due to complications from metastatic pancreas cancer.

As the senior member of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing, she oversaw decisions on pivotal issues including same-sex marriage, abortion rights, health care and immigration.

Fuel ships of the same T-AO class under construction have been named after the late civil rights icons John Lewis and Harvey Milk.

Mr Del Toro named Ginsburg’s daughter, Jane Ginsburg, as the ship’s sponsor.

The 226m (742 foot) T-AO ships’ have capacity to carry 162,000 barrels of oil.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in