NEW YORK — Edith Windsor, whose landmark Supreme Court case struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013 and granted same-sex married couples federal recognition for the first time, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. She was 88.

Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, issued the following statement:

“Today, we lost one of this country’s great civil rights pioneers, Edie Windsor. The wheels of progress turn forward because of people like Edie who are willing to stand up in the face of injustice.

“One simply cannot write the history of the gay rights movement without reserving immense credit and gratitude for Edie Windsor. We were proud to stand with Edie when she took her fight on behalf of same-sex couples everywhere to the Supreme Court.

“We mourn her today, as do all whom she touched in her incredible life. Edie always urged others not to 'postpone joy.' So even as we mourn this terrible loss, we also celebrate Edie, who set an example for all of us to follow.”