For a museum known for celebrating upstanders who do what’s right, the Illinois Holocaust Museum has chosen a can’t-miss new exhibit that speaks directly to the importance of overcoming challenges and perseverance.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first-ever exhibit dedicated to the Supreme Court justice and cultural icon, offers something for all ages, says Wendy Singer, the museum’s director of education.
Younger kids will love learning about Ginsburg’s life through interactive rooms, including her childhood apartment in Brooklyn, her hobbies (baton twirling!) to the Supreme Court bench where they can try on robes.
Older kids will enjoy a deeper dive into discovering Ginsburg’s influence on America with media clips of the famous cases she’s heard and the role of the three branches of government.
Parents, too, can relate to the trailblazer who balanced a demanding career and raising a family.
One of Singer’s favorite pieces tells the story of the relationship started between Ginsburg and the boy who would become her husband, Marty. A replica of the car she drove on their first date is included in the exhibit.
Everyone will be able to relate to Ginsburg as an upstander who faced challenges, yet persevered to make a difference without diminishing others, she says.
“The power of the exhibition is there is much detail about her life that people can see themselves in it,” says Marcy Larson, vice president of marketing at the museum.
“… As we look at Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she is certainly an upstander who has made a name for herself, facing many challenges and then achieving so much through perseverance.”
As part of the exhibit, the museum welcomes families to the exhibition to enjoy a family program (free with museum admission). The Jump for Justice! family program, 2-3:30 p.m., focuses on fitness and social justice. It will include yoga, junior jazzercise and more. At the end, families will come together to work on a social action project for the community.
The day also allows families to explore the entire museum to learn more about character development and the importance of making good decisions.
The museum will also host RBG After Dark on June 18 where everyone is encouraged to dress up as RBG as part of the fun.
Throughout the exhibit, families will see an incredible role model who met challenges and found a way to succeed, Larson says. “When they can identify with someone who has challenges and get this ‘well if they did it, I can do too,’ I think it’s really empowering.”
She is about lifting other people up, not knocking them down, Singer says. “Her leadership style is so important in today’s world.”
At the end of the exhibit, you can even buy a RBG bobblehead.
If you go
Notorious RBG — The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Now through Aug. 16
Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
Learn more at ilholocaustmuseum.org.
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