Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has the final say on interpreting the Constitution and laws that affect the legal rights of women. We’re working to confirm Justices who understand the impact of the law on the lives of women and their families and whose experiences and perspectives will add diversity to the Court.

Highlights

Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Preview: 2013-2014 Term

October 2, 2013
During the 2013-2014 Term, the Supreme Court will review several cases that concern legal rights of importance to women—including access to abortion, equal opportunity in education, protection against housing discrimination, and the ability to use the Equal Protection Clause to challenge discrimination in public employment. In addition, the Court will review an important case involving the President’s ability to fill vacancies on a body that protects workers. Finally, the Court may decide whether for-profit businesses can refuse to provide employee insurance coverage for contraceptives based on asserted religious objections. The decisions in these cases may have a significant impact on women’s rights in all of these important arenas.
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Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Review: 2012-2013 Term

July 10, 2013

The 2012-2013 Supreme Court Term witnessed a number of blockbuster cases affecting women’s rights, from affirmative action to workplace protections to voting rights to marriage equality. The results in those cases were decidedly mixed, with some historic victories, but also, unfortunately, heartbreaking setbacks. The National Women’s Law Center participated in most of these cases. This fact sheet explains key cases and the potential impacts of their decisions.

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Fact Sheet | The Supreme Court's Decision in Fisher v. UT Austin will be Particularly Important for Women of Color

October 3, 2012

In October 2012, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin to decide whether UT Austin may consider race as a factor in admissions in addition to their race-neutral Top Ten Percent Plan.  This fact sheet explains how the Court's decisions will potentially impact on women of color.

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Fact Sheet | Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor: The Supreme Court Should Presume Laws Discriminating On the Basis of Sexual Orientation are Unconstitutional

March 25, 2013

This term, the Supreme Court will decide United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry. Windsor challenges Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), which prohibits the federal government from recognizing marriages between same-sex couples, and Hollingsworth challenges the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment that revoked same-sex couples’ right to marry in that state.  This fact sheet explains why Section 3 of DOMA and Proposition 8 should be subjected to heightened scrutiny under the Constitution and struck down.

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More Resources

Fact Sheet | In the 2008-2009 Term, A Number of Notable Decisions For Women

June 15, 2009
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Fact Sheet | What the Ricci v. DeStefano Case Means for Women's Rights

June 15, 2009
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Fact Sheet | Justice Souter's Important Role in Protecting Women's Legal Rights

May 15, 2009
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Fact Sheet | The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

March 15, 2009
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Webinars & Presentations | Lilly Ledbetter on the Passage of the Fair Pay Act

January 23, 2009

Watch the Video.

Lilly Ledbetter on the Passage of the Fair Pay Act
National Women's Law Center

For nearly 20 years, Lilly Ledbetter, of Jacksonville, Alabama, was paid less than her male co-workers. On January 22, 2009, the U.S. Senate finally passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. We spoke to Lilly at the Capitol after the vote.

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