On this cool evening at the steps of the Yamhill County Courthouse about fifty residents, most from McMinnville, gathered to honor the life and tireless work of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg 1933-2020

The event, organized by Marilyn Dresser, Sidonie Winfield, and Progressive Yamhill, invited community members to gather and express their gratitude, appreciation, and grief. Attendees, predominantly women, shared stories of the effects of Ginsburg’s work on their lives.

Candidate for State Rep in House District 24 Lynnette Shaw called Ginsburg a “titan of justice” who has had a profound impact on the lives of LGBTQ people.

Lynnette Shaw speaks about the profound impact of Justice Ginsburg

John Olson, who serves as Pastor at McMinnville Covenant Church shared eloquently how this year has weighed him down adding stones to his proverbial pockets. “Her passing was one stone too many” he lamented.

In all, about a dozen mourners spoke, a few with shaky voices, some with tears, and one shaking from grief. Each of them were reminded by multiple speakers to use their own voices to speak out against injustice, to speak to friends and neighbors, and to vote.