The school said it required girls to wear skirts as part of the uniform to promote "chivalry" and "traditional values." Photo: iStock

Anyone who ever had to wear skirts as part of their school uniform, or has a child who had to, knows how much of a pain it can be. Not only does the wearer have to be mindful, at all times, that her butt isn't hanging out while sitting down and walking up the stairs, but she also might have to figure out some type of shorts to wear underneath the skirt, in case there's a breeze, and in the winter, possibly some leggings—or in my case, SWEATPANTS—so she doesn't freeze to death on the way to and from school. Even though it's old-fashioned, unfair, and downright uncomfortable, there are still thousands of girls who are subjected to such a dress code. Rather than put up with it, three North Carolina students decided to take action, asking their school to end its policy of requiring girls to wear skirts or risk punishment. Their petition had garnered over 100 signatures when a teacher confiscated it—and never returned it. The students sought the help of the ACLU, who filed a lawsuit against the on their behalf back in 2016, when the girls were just 5, 10 and 14. They sued K-8 Charter Day School in Leland which, according to CBS News, is a public school funded by state taxpayers, but is allowed to do things differently than a traditional public school. Even though Charter Day School is tuition-free, it "contracts with a for-profit company to run business and academic operations." Now, three years later, a judge has ruled the school's skirt requirement for girls to be unconstitutional, Buzzfeed reports. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard wrote that making girls wear skirts as part of the uniform gives them a burden that their male counterparts do not have.

The girls' lawsuit argued that the dress code for girls "forces them to wear clothing that is less warm and comfortable than the pants their male classmates are permitted to wear" and restricts girls' physical activity. It also argued that the skirt requirement "distracts from their learning, and limits their educational opportunities," and they claim the the uniform policy violates federal and state law, specifically protection against sex-based discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. As Keely Burks, the oldest student in the lawsuit, wrote on the ACLU website three years ago, she found wearing skirts to school was "distracting and uncomfortable," and revealed that on the last day of school, she had to be sent home because she was wearing shorts, not a skirt. According to the lawsuit, the charter school requires boys to wear pants or knee-length shorts, but requires girls to wear only knee-length or longer jumpers, skirts or skorts, except on gym days. If the dress code isn't followed, the school may call their parents, take them out of class or expel them. "In the year 2016, I don’t think anyone should have a problem with young women wearing pants. I hope that by challenging my school’s policy, I can help other girls who want to go to school without being stereotyped, or who just want to play outside or sit in class without feeling uncomfortable ..." Keely wrote.

We're proud to represent Keely in a lawsuit filed last year. #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/yEi73m0UUZ — ACLU of North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) March 9, 2017