Founded in 1839, Virginia Military Institute was a male only public school that prepared its students for leadership in military and civil life. In their efforts to create “citizen soldiers” the institution offered a program unlike any other. VMI taught both physical and mental discipline in the students. Which resulted in many alumni going on to have very successful careers, like Ralph Northam. The petitioner in this case was the United States. Who questioned whether Virginias exclusion of women for the education opportunities provided by VMI violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. Arguing that the unique education and benefits of graduating the esteemed school shouldn’t be limited to males and that in
