Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love

Gr 1-4–Edie Windsor is not a name that appears in history books or pop culture, but it should. As a child, she loved math and civics classes and thought there should be equality for all. In college, she realized she liked women but kept it a secret as queer people were getting arrested and going to jail. Windsor moved to New York City where she got a job as a computer programmer, the only woman in her department. Then she met the love of her life, Thea. They spent 40 years together as an engaged couple since they were not allowed to be married in the United States. Ultimately, they went to Canada, where same-sex marriage was legal. When her wife died, Windsor received a tax bill for over $300,000; the government did not recognize her marriage and charged an inheritance tax. Windsor sued the U.S. government, arguing that a husband or wife can inherit their spouse’s estate and not pay taxes. They were a couple and lived as spouses. Her fight took her all the way to the Supreme Court where she said the Defense of Marriage Act was unfair and should be illegal. The back matter includes a time line, bibliography, photos, and information about DOMA and the Supreme Court.