The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) provides financial and emotional support for women seeking redress in the courts for sex discrimination in academia. LAF, established in 1981, is the largest legal fund focused entirely on this objective.
LAF Grants and Support
To date, the Legal Advocacy Fund has awarded over $1,000,000 to plaintiffs. AAUW California has consistently led the country in LAF contributions. Four key programs drive the work of LAF: case support; the network of attorneys; the campus outreach program, and the Progress in Equity award. For further information on these programs and a summary of the four current California cases, go to AAUW.org.
LAF Progress in Equity Award
AAUW - LAF has established the Gloria Weston Campus Outreach Fund. The vision of the Fund is to create opportunities for education and discussion on topics of equity, discrimination and tenure at California universities and colleges. Approximately 20% of all LAF cases have originated in California and that number alone lends itself to creating educational programing.
Case History
Roderick Jackson, a teacher and coach at Ensley High School in Birmingham, Alabama, sued the Birmingham Board of Education under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, alleging that he was retaliated against for protesting sex discrimination against his girls’ basketball team. On March 29, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Jackson, holding that individuals who complain about sex discrimination have a private right of action for retaliation under Title IX. More about this case can be found at AAUW.org/laf/cases/jackson.cfm.
Contributions to LAF are tax deductible and will help balance the scale in Academia. |
