Frontiero v. Richardson

Frontiero v. Richardson (1973) was a landmark Supreme Court case addressing gender discrimination in military benefits. Sharon Frontiero, a female Air Force lieutenant, challenged the requirement that she prove her husband was dependent on her for support to receive benefits, while male service members did not face the same burden for their wives. The Court ruled that this gender-based distinction violated the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection, highlighting the need for gender equality in government policies. The decision was significant in advancing women's rights and recognizing discriminatory practices based on gender.