Announcing the 2nd Annual RBG Contest for K-12 Students

Roger Williams University School of Law, Rhode Island’s only law school, is once again inviting Ocean State students from grades K through 12 to submit essays and drawings on how they have been inspired by the legacy of late Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court of the United States, who passed away in September 2020.

The winning entries will receive cash and book awards and be published in Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly, as well as being featured on the law school’s website. All entries must be received by Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). Children of current employees or students of Roger Williams University and Roger Williams University School of Law are not eligible to participate. Children of alumni are eligible.

“Justice Ginsburg cared about equality for all people,” noted RWU Law Professor Emily Sack, who advises the school’s Women’s Law Society. “When she started her fight for women’s equality under the law, it seemed like an impossible task, but she worked hard and persisted, and made great strides for the things she believed in.

“She also knew that this is not something she could accomplish alone, and that we all have a part to play in making a better world,” Sack added. “She famously said, ‘Fight for things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.’ At RWU Law, we thought this essay contest would be a wonderful way for all of us, and especially our State’s students, to be inspired by Justice Ginsburg’s life and her call to action.”

Details of the contest for each age group are as follows:

• Elementary School (Grades K-5)
  • Create an original piece of artwork that symbolizes “How has RBG inspired me?” Artwork may not be traced or copied. Only original works will be accepted.
  • Give your artwork a title. Place title at the top of your page.
  • Use materials that you have. i.e., pencil, crayons, watercolor, and markers.
  • Paper size: 8 ½ x 11”.
  • Artwork submissions may be photographed or scanned and then emailed. JPEG format preferred.
  • PRIZE: $100 and one copy of I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy.

• Middle School (Grades 6-8)
  • Create an original essay on “How has RBG inspired me”?
  • The essay title should be at the top of page one.
  • Limited to one page, double spaced (about 250 words)
  • PRIZE: $175 and one copy of Notorious RBG Young Readers' Edition: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik.

• High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Create an original essay on How has RBG inspired me?
  • The essay title should be at the top of page one.
  • Limited to two pages, double spaced (about 500 words)
  • PRIZE: $225 and one copy of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik.

• Instructions for All Categories
  • The essay/artwork title should be at the top of page one.
  • Submission must include student’s name, grade, school, title of artwork or essay, and parent or guardian name & contact information.
  • Mailed entries will not be considered.
  • Submit Your Entry Here

Entries will be reviewed by grade level, and one winning submission will be selected from each category. Mailed entries will not be considered. Judging will be conducted by members of RWU Law’s Women’s Law Society.

All winning submissions will be announced at the annual Women in Law Leadership Lecture during the Spring 2022 semester, and featured on RWU Law’s website. Questions may be directed to RBGessay@rwu.edu.