There's this moment in one of the recent movies about Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life,

the movie's called on the basis of sex.

The women in the class of 1959 at Harvard Law are invited to a dinner at the Dean's House,

and they are asked to justify taking up a spot at Harvard Law School.

This is only the sixth year women have had the privilege to earn a Harvard Law degree.

This little Suarez is our way of saying welcome.

My wife, Harriet and I, are very glad all nine of you have joined us.

Sam Waterston as Dean Erwin Krizwald at the head of a grand table.

Let us go around the table and each of you ladies report who you are, where you're from,

and why you're occupying a place at Harvard that could have gone to a man.

A couple of women take their turn, each rising to their feet to answer the question.

And then, I'm Ruth Ginsburg from Brooklyn.

And why are you here at Miss Ginsburg?

Mrs. Ginsburg, actually.

My husband Martin is in the second year class.

I'm at Harvard to learn more about his work, so I can be a more patient and understanding wife.

That's pretty much how the real Ruth Bader Ginsburg answered Dean Griswald's question that night back in 1956.

Even if you don't follow every opinion and dissent from the high court,

you probably already know that she was being a little facetious.

This studious fierce feminist becomes the second woman to sit on the US Supreme Court.

But back in 1956, she was not yet a three initial icon.

Ruth was one of nine women among about 500 men in that class at Harvard Law School.

...