The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund was conceived and implemented to aggregate member contributions to invest in activities that prevent and combat sex discrimination and promote gender equity through support of litigation and educational programs. Beginning January 1, 2009, LAF case support will expand to address discrimination cases that protect women in all workplaces, as well as those that arise in the academic context. Specifically, LAF will support plaintiffs with significant cases that have the potential to set precedent and protect others against discrimination in the future.
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, a program of the AAUW Educational Foundation has been the nation's largest legal fund focused on sex discrimination in higher education. Since 1981 the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund has helped students, faculty, staff, and administrators in higher education challenge discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, pay inequity, and inequality in women's athletics programs.
LAF has provided more than $1.4 million in financial support to more than 100 cases in which students, faculty or administrators have challenged discriminatory paractices involving sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, pay equity, or aid for women's athletic programs.
LAF has established a network of experienced attorneys and social scientists, who serve as volunteer consultants to the lawyers and plaintiffs who are considering litigation orwho are already in the process of conducting sex discrimination litigation
This financial award was created to recognize college and university programs which have resulted in significant progress toward equity for women on campus and in the community. New York State AAUW recognizes colleges in the state which meet this criterion.
You can read about recent litigants whose cases have been adopted by the AAUW LAF in the AAUW Outlook magazine and on the AAUW NYS and AAUW websites.