Constitution Day at OSU to feature plaintiffs in high court ruling

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The plaintiffs in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling will be on hand to discuss the case on Monday, Sept. 19, at 3:30 p.m. in the in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room, in the Edmon Low Library at Oklahoma State University.

Carolyn Whitener and Curtis Craig, plaintiffs in the 1976 Craig v. Boren, will discuss the case, which marked the first time a majority on the U.S. Supreme Court determined that gender classifications were subject to the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.

Craig was an undergraduate student at the time, and Whitener was a Stillwater business owner when they were involved in the case over gender-based differences in Oklahoma’s minimum drinking age law.

“This event is interesting because the case originated in Stillwater and will resonate with the students of Oklahoma State University,” said Dan Chaney, OSU associate professor, librarian and organizer of this year’s Constitution Day event. “The case demonstrates anyone can play a major role in changing the law.”

This year marks the case’s 40th anniversary. The library is hosting the annual event to acknowledge the importance of the Constitution and its impact on America’s culture, society and freedom and in recognition of Constitution Day, dedicated to remembering the 39 men involved in the planning and signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

The Constitution Day event, which is free and open to the public, will also be broadcast live at www.ostate.tv. For more information, contact lib-pub@okstate.edu or 405-744-7901.

Story By: Casey Schmitz