When I was 11, I watched “Legally Blonde” for the first time. It was the first time I realized that I could hope to be something other than a princess or a teacher; I was determined to be a lawyer. Since then, I have changed my mind hundreds of times regarding my future aspirations, but watching “On the Basis of Sex” reminded me of the awkward preteen who dreams of becoming something more.

“On the Basis of Sex” illuminates the turmoil women have to endure in their daily life. It’s not some whiny feminist movie about how men are terrible and the source of all women’s problems. It’s not about female superiority or male inferiority. It’s simply about a great role model, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Ginsberg seems to live in her husband, Martin’s shadow for the majority of the film, even though they both attended Harvard and she’s the reason he even finished school. It’s only towards the end that Ginsberg is seen as her own person – as Martin has seen her the whole time. This is exhibited in the first scene that she refers to herself as Ruth Bader Ginsberg instead of just Ruth Ginsberg as she has been called for the entire film preceding this moment. This instance where Ruth brings in her maiden name shows her sudden desire for independence.

Ginsberg’s battles with the patriarchy are no match for her at-home-wars with her oldest child, Jane, a teenager and a radical feminist. Jane is disappointed that her mother seemed to settle for a teaching job after she couldn’t get a job at a law firm. But it is because of Jane’s pushing, Ruth finally becomes a lawyer – and eventually a Supreme Court Justice.

I hope that Ruth Bader Ginsberg will continue to inspire little girls across the nation, just as she has inspired me. Ultimately, everyone, not just women, but everyone should watch “On the Basis of Sex.”