The Opperman Foundation, which selected SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and other honorees for an award named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg, announced the cancellation of its award ceremony. The decision came after receiving pushback from the late justice's family.
Julie Opperman, chair of the foundation, expressed that their intention was to honor Ginsburg's leadership and not to offend her family and friends. The planned ceremony in April 2024, where the recipients were to be honored with the 'RBG Leadership' award, has been called off.
Alongside Musk and Murdoch, the list of honorees included Martha Stewart, Sylvester Stallone, and Michael Milken. Members of the Ginsburg family and a former clerk of the justice raised concerns about the selection, with Jim Ginsburg, her son, describing the choices as a 'desecration of my mother's memory.'
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for her progressive stance on social issues, passed away in 2020 at the age of 87. She championed causes such as abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and immigration.
The foundation's decision to broaden the pool of potential honorees to men and various fields was based on Ginsburg's teachings of equality. Opperman emphasized that the foundation aims to do good without creating controversy or debating the worthiness of honorees.
Justice Ginsburg's concept of equality for women was highlighted, with the foundation choosing to uphold her legacy of civility. The cancellation of the award ceremony reflects the foundation's commitment to honoring Ginsburg's memory in a respectful manner.
