Remembering Ruth Bade Ginsburg and Her Love of New Mexico

You may know Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg loved visiting Santa Fe but you may not know why she fell head over heels for the Land of Enchantment. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a known lover of opera, and would frequently travel the nation to see various performances in different theaters, but she always came back to Santa Fe. It's easy to see why- the Sanata Fe Opera boasts an outdoor viewing experience with the gorgeous New Mexico skylines as the performance's background.The venue is unlike any other and from my first visit to the Santa Fe Opera I've been dying to go back. But it's not just the opera that RBG came to love about Santa Fe. It's the city's stunning landscapes, culture, historic sites, jewelry, artwork, and most importantly the people.

The Santa Fe New Mexican wrote about some of great memories New Mexicans have of the times RBG visited. The Santa Fe Opera's former general director Charles MacKay spoke fondly about RBG and why she loved visiting:

“I think it was the unique characteristics of the Santa Fe Opera, the characteristics that make it special for all patrons: the incomparable setting, the vistas and the view and the sunset. She had many friends here and people made her feel very welcome. And above all, she admired the quality of the productions.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg would also take the time to go backstage after performances and meet the performance and production crews to the staff's delight. RBG would also take the time to see as many different things New Mexico could offer in her trips. From museum visits, historic sites, art galleries, and of course, her beloved Santa Fe Opera. According to friends Albuquerque lawyer Roberta Cooper Ramo and reporter Anne Constable she would always ask how her beautiful New Mexico skies were doing. Now Ramos says she takes solace in the fact Ginsburg is now a part of those stunning skies.