Legal Advocacy Foundation

The Sunnyvale-Cupertino Branch of AAUW supports national AAUW's Legal Advocacy Foundation (LAF), which works to combat sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace. Our branch annually supports LAF through private donations and fund raisers.

LAF works through community and campus outreach programs, a resource library and online advocacy tools, a Legal Referral Network, and various research reports. In collaboration with the Public Policy and Government Relations department, LAF seeks amicus curiae opportunities in workplace sex discrimination cases. LAF also provides support to workplace sex discrimination cases that have the potential to make a difference for all women.

Facts about the Legal Advocacy Foundation...

It began in 1978. Members of AAUW's Ithaca (NY) Branch had a daring and new idea. They were determined to support a resolute group of women professors who had brought a class action lawsuit against Cornell University charging sex discrimination in denial of tenure. The branch turned to the Association and sought its help in raising funds.

The Ithaca proposal meshed perfectly with AAUW's historic mandate to rally in defense of equity for women. However, at that time no budget category existed then from which to tap funds. In 1981, the Association Board of Directors voted to establish the Legal Advocacy Fund. In doing so, the Association placed its considerable weight and reputation in support of the "Cornell Eleven" as they had come to be known. The Fund donated $22,500 to these courageous women and, thereby, helped in further fund raising for their cause.

Since that first lawsuit, the Legal Advocacy Foundation has grown in scope and impact. It has become the nation's largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination in higher education.