8-year-old dressed as Justice Ginsburg receives letter from her superhero (Photos)

Krista Threefoot, of Columbia, Maryland, posted this image online of her 8-year-old daughter Michele dressed in her Ruth Bader Ginsburg costume. The photo was shared so many times that it reached Justice Ginsburg, who sent Michele a letter. (Courtesy Krista Threefoot)
Krista Threefoot loved her daughter's idea so much she hired a photographer to take her photo. (Courtesy Jody McKinley)
Krista Threefoot loved her daughter’s idea so much she hired a photographer to take her photo. (Courtesy Jody McKinley)
Michele Threefoot, 8, woke up Friday December 30 to find two notes from her superhero, Justice Ginsburg. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot, 8, woke up Friday, Dec. 30, to find two notes from her superhero, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
This is the typed letter the elementary school student received from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot chose to dress as the Supreme Court justice for her school's super hero day. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot chose to dress as the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her school’s super hero day. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
The family plans to frame the handwritten letter from Justice Ginsburg sent to Michele. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot chose Ginsburg because ''ecause she changed our life by dissenting and doing good things,'' she said. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot chose Ginsburg because ”she changed our life by dissenting and doing good things,” she said. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
(1/7)
Krista Threefoot loved her daughter's idea so much she hired a photographer to take her photo. (Courtesy Jody McKinley)
Michele Threefoot, 8, woke up Friday December 30 to find two notes from her superhero, Justice Ginsburg. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot chose to dress as the Supreme Court justice for her school's super hero day. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
Michele Threefoot chose Ginsburg because ''ecause she changed our life by dissenting and doing good things,'' she said. (Courtesy Threefoot family)
May 5, 2024 | How a picture book inspired an 8-year-old girl (WTOP's Megan Cloherty reports)

WASHINGTON — A little girl from Columbia, Maryland, had a big idea that got the attention of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Michele Threefoot, 8, isn’t really into superheroes with capes. She prefers robes. So preparing for Super Hero Day at school late last month, Michele decided to pick her own superhero from her favorite picture book, a biography of Justice Ginsburg.

“She changed our life by dissenting and doing good things,” Michele said.

Her mother, Krista Threefoot said she bought the book for her oldest daughter titled, “I Dissent” because it fit Michele’s personality to a tee.

“Michele gets very fired up about girls and boys not having the same opportunities,” Threefoot said.

So she searched the house for the perfect outfit that would transform her 8-year-old into the 83-year-old justice.

“It was a dress I’d forgotten she had, I took a pair of my sunglasses and popped out the lenses and that was it,” she said.

A photo posted online of Michele in costume was shared so many times, it reached Justice Ginsburg. On Dec. 30, Michele received a two-page letter from Ginsburg.

“One looks like it’s in fancy writing, and the other was typed up,” Michele said of the notes her mother plans on framing.

Written on Supreme Court letterhead, the note reads, “Dear Michele, You look just like me! May you continue to thrive on reading and learning. Every good wish, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”

Michele said she brought copies of the letter to school and inspired other students to reconsider their idea of superheros.

“Everyone wanted to be famous people for superhero day. Naomi wanted to be Hillary Clinton and another wanted to be Bill Gates, and I think Anthony said he wanted to be Donald Trump,” she said.

Megan Cloherty

WTOP Investigative Reporter Megan Cloherty primarily covers breaking news, crime and courts.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up