National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) mourns the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States who was widely regarded by our social studies community as a champion of women's rights and gender equality.

NCSS President Stefanie Wager said, “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg embodied the ideals of informed civic action. From a young age she fought for equal rights and paved the way for so many women, including me. Justice Ginsburg often said, 'The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people.' We as social studies educators also believe this and honor her legacy by working everyday to ensure our students have the knowledge and skills to become active and engaged citizens.”

NCSS Executive Director Dr. Lawrence Paska said, “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dedicated her life to fundamental concepts of social studies education: equal rights and social justice. Our professional learning community will honor her legacy by continuing to raise and celebrate the voices for whom she tirelessly advocated, and will work to hold her legacy as a model for future generations of Americans."

Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies is the largest professional association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 35 countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, civics, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education. The NCSS membership represents K-12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors, and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies. Membership in National Council for the Social Studies is open to any person or institution interested in the social studies.