Ruth Bader Ginsburg's upbringing influenced her views on equality significantly. Growing up in a Jewish family in Brooklyn, she experienced both gender and religious bias firsthand. Her mother emphasized the importance of education and advocacy, which inspired Ruth's commitment to fighting against discrimination. At Cornell University, she faced challenges as a woman in a predominantly male environment. These experiences shaped her passion for gender equality and civil rights, driving her legal career and work with the American Civil Liberties Union. Ginsburg's background underscored her belief in the necessity of justice and equal opportunity for all.