Feminist Movement's Impact on Equal Protection

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The feminist movement has profoundly impacted the interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause, ensuring that gender equality is a fundamental aspect of legal discourse. This evolution began with the suffrage movement and continued through various branches of feminist activism, including the labor movement and the push for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). These efforts led to increased recognition of gender-based discrimination and the need for legal protections against it. The movement's influence was evident in key Supreme Court decisions, such as Reed v. Reed and Frontiero v. Richardson, which established that differential treatment based on sex was unconstitutional. The feminist movement also linked gender equality to broader civil rights initiatives, integrating anti-discrimination models into federal law. Despite challenges, the movement has reshaped legal and societal perceptions of gender equality, pushing for comprehensive protections that extend beyond traditional notions of equality.