University of California, Berkeley students packed an auditorium Monday to hear from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is a featured guest in a lecture series hosted by the university's School of Law.
The free event kicked off just after 4 p.m. with a standing ovation for the women's rights icon.
Berkeley resident Sage Speatz, who attended the lecture, called Ginsburg "the great her of my life."
"She's a fighter," added Berkeley law student Ernesto Rojas.
More than 1,600 students and faculty members attended to listen in on a conversation between the Supreme Court justice and one of her former clerks, who is now a law professor.
"She's just done a lot. Feminist movement-wise -- she's done so much," UC Berkeley student Anika Djukic said. "I think being able to see her in person is an incredible opportunity that I never imagined I would have."
Ginsburg, 86, has beat cancer four times. Some in the audience worry what would happen if she left the bench while President Donald Trump is in office.
"I don't want to say the entire judicial system rests on her, but she seems like a pretty influential force on the bench right now," student Gowri Nayar said.
Ginsburg has publicly said that traveling to speaking engagement enhances her healing and stimulates her. Those who lined up early to see her at UC Berkeley said her presence alone is inspiring their legal careers.
