Affirmative Action in Education

Affirmative action programs have played a critical role in opening up opportunities for women and minorities to begin to take their rightful place in our society. The Supreme Court has recognized the importance of diversity in education, but equal access to education is under attack.  We’re working to support affirmative measures to secure equal opportunities in education for all students.

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Fact Sheet | The Supreme Court's Decision in Fisher v. UT Austin will be Particularly Important for Women of Color

October 03, 2012

In October 2012, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin to decide whether UT Austin may consider race as a factor in admissions in addition to their race-neutral Top Ten Percent Plan.  This fact sheet explains how the Court's decisions will potentially impact on women of color.

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Legal Briefs & Testimony | Amicus Brief: Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin

August 15, 2012

The National Women’s Law Center filed an amicus brief in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin.  NWLC argued in support of UT Austin’s policy, explaining that racial diversity in higher education is important to women, and especially women of color, because this diversity breaks down stereotypes that feed and perpetuate inequality, including intertwined race and gender stereotypes.  Read our Amicus Brief for the case, which will go in front of the Supreme Court in late 2012.

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Fact Sheet, Webinars & Presentations | Resources for "If You Care About..., Then You Should Care About Reproductive Justice" Series

November 02, 2011

The National Women’s Law Center and Law Students for Reproductive Justice have developed a series of webinars for law students that look at the intersection of reproductive justice with other progressive advocacy issues. We hope that through this series, students will start thinking of the social justice and human rights underpinnings of progressive work, and how we can all work together toward our common goals.

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Fact Sheet | The Supreme Court: Every Vote Counts

March 12, 2010

For three decades, the Supreme Court’s interpretations of constitutional principles and federal statutes have played a vital role in protecting the rights of women to privacy, to equal protection of the laws, to basic health and safety, and to freedom from discrimination in the workplace and in school. This fact sheet details the impact that the Suprem Court's decisions will have on women, emphasizing that each decision is an important one.

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Legal Briefs & Testimony | Amicus Brief: Parents in Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District

October 10, 2006

In 2007, the National Women’s Law Center filed an amicus brief in Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle Sch. Dist. No. 1. NWLC wrote in support of the schools’ efforts to achieve diversity in the classroom. NWLC’s brief details the research which has demonstrated that racially integrated learning environments are essential to eliminating both race and gender stereotypes because they expose students to diversity and encourage them to reject gross generalizations and stereotypical thinking. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down efforts by two school districts to maintain racial integration in individual schools.  This decision negatively affects all students, including girls who continue to be subject to both race- and sex-based stereotypes in school and in other academic and social arenas.

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