Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sipuel v. Board of Regents of Univ. of Okla. |
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| Argued January 7–8, 1948 Decided January 12, 1948 |
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| Full case name | Sipuel v. Board of Regents of University of Oklahoma, et al. |
| Citations | 332 U.S. 631 (more)
68 S. Ct. 299; 92 L. Ed. 247; 1948 U.S. LEXIS 2645
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| Prior history | Judgment for the State, District Court of Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 199 Okla. 36; affirmed, (Supreme Court of Oklahoma 1946) 180 P.2d 135; cert. granted, 332 U.S. 814 (1947). |
| Holding | |
| Colleges can not deny admittance based on race. | |
| Court membership | |
| Case opinions | |
| Per curiam. | |
| Laws applied | |
| U.S. Const. amend. XIV | |
The case of Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma was an important decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. It happened in 1948. This case was about stopping racial segregation (keeping people of different races apart) at the University of Oklahoma. It also looked at how the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution should be used.
Contents
The Story of Ada Lois Sipuel
A Dream to Study Law
Ada Lois Sipuel was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, in 1924. Her father was a minister. Ada wanted to become a lawyer. She knew it would be hard because of segregation laws at the time.
Her brother also wanted to study law. He chose to go to Howard University Law School in Washington, DC. He did this to avoid a long legal fight against segregation.
Fighting for Equal Opportunity
Ada Sipuel was ready to fight for her rights. In 1946, she applied to the University of Oklahoma's law school. This was the only law school in Oklahoma funded by taxpayers.
However, the university was only for white students. Ada was denied admission because she was Black. This was a common problem during segregation.
Ada decided to take legal action. She asked a local court in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, to make the university admit her. The court said no. The Oklahoma Supreme Court also agreed with the lower court's decision. So, Ada and her lawyers took her case to the highest court in the country: the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Supreme Court's Decision
A Quick Ruling for Equality
Two years later, in 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Ada's case. Her lawyers argued that she had a right to the same legal education as anyone else. They said the state must provide it for her. This had to be done "in conformity with the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment." This part of the Constitution says that states must treat all people equally under the law.
The Court quickly made a decision. Just four days after hearing the arguments, on January 12, 1948, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Ada's favor. This means all nine judges agreed.
What the Ruling Meant
The Court said that Oklahoma had to provide equal education for Black students. This meant qualified Black students had to be allowed into state law schools that were previously only for white students. This decision overturned the Oklahoma Supreme Court's ruling.
This case was a very important step in the early Civil rights movement. It helped set the stage for other major cases. One famous case it influenced was Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. That case ended segregation in public schools across the country.
Key People in the Case
Ada Sipuel was represented by famous lawyers. One of them was Thurgood Marshall. He later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
The lawyers for the University of Oklahoma and the State of Oklahoma argued against Ada. But the Supreme Court sided with Ada and her right to equal education.
What Happened Next
A Welcome Student
After the Supreme Court's decision, Ada Sipuel was finally able to attend the University of Oklahoma law school. She was a great student. Many of her classmates welcomed her. They did not agree with the university's old policy of keeping students apart based on race.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, there is a special garden at the University of Oklahoma campus. It is located between Jacobson Hall and Carpenter Hall. This garden honors Ada Lois Sipuel and her important fight for equality. Her bravery helped open doors for many others.
