Washington Speaks: RBG's last night at the Supreme Court

RBG at the U.S. Supreme Court, Sept. 24, 2020/Patricia Leslie

Across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court, Sept. 24, 2020. It was always the same at the opera, whether it was the Kennedy Center or Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University: Just before show time, Justice Ginsburg would enter the hall through a side entrance (at the Kennedy Center) surrounded by three bodyguards, one, always a woman, dressed in characteristic suits of dull monotones. They did not sit with her. I believe she sat alone.

Her silhouette was unmistakable and audience members stood, cheered, and applauded her presence every time. At both places she always had the same seat: orchestra level, on the left in the first section towards the rear, one row from the aisleway at the Kennedy Center, and at Lisner, a few rows from the stage, center left. Her presence lent a happy tone to the production, whether it was a sad show or not. Now, it's a sad show./Patricia Leslie

Across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court, Sept. 24, 2020/Patricia Leslie

Across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court Sept. 24, 2020 was this letter which reads (the portion not covered by rocks): "Justice Ginsberg! - You will be sorely missed... The sisters ... (rocks) have loved your work for all ...You made an IMMENSE difference in this world for us, our daughters, and our granddaughters. Thank you for being NOTORIOUS! Catie(?), Nomi, Toni, Cricket, Erin, Lizzie & the rest of us sisters"/Patricia Leslie