Reed v. Reed (1971) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that was the first to declare a law unconstitutional based on gender discrimination. The case arose when Sally Reed and Cecil Reed, separated parents, were in dispute over the administration of their deceased son’s estate. Under Idaho law at the time, the estate was automatically awarded to the father, Cecil, because he was male, even though Sally Reed had a strong claim to be the administrator. Sally Reed challenged this law, arguing that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sally Reed, striking down the Idaho law. The Court held that the law’s preference for men over women in appointing estate administrators was arbitrary and unjustified, thus violating the Equal Protection Clause. Although the Court did not establish a broad constitutional right to gender equality, it marked a critical step toward gender equality in law. The ruling set a precedent for future cases challenging laws based on gender discrimination and affirmed that gender-based classifications must be subject to scrutiny, ensuring that such laws are not based on stereotypes or irrelevant distinctions.