Women's Rights Group Endorses Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan

“President Obama’s nominee is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Court,” said NWLC Co-President Marcia D. Greenberger, who has been invited to testify in support of Elena Kagan during her confirmation hearings.

“Elena Kagan possesses sterling academic and legal credentials, has dedicated her life to public service, and has demonstrated her support of the core constitutional and legal rights upon which women rely,” Greenberger said.

Elena Kagan, confirmed as Solicitor General by the Senate just over a year ago, is the first woman to hold this position in the countryÂ’s history. Before her appointment as Solicitor General, Kagan had a distinguished academic career. She received tenure at the University of Chicago Law School and then at Harvard Law School and was the first woman to serve as Dean of Harvard Law. During the Clinton Administration, she served as Associate Counsel to President Clinton and as Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council.

“We have known Elena Kagan for many years and have the greatest respect for her outstanding accomplishments, considerable legal skills, and fair-mindedness,” Greenberger said.  The Center also has conducted an exhaustive review of Elena KaganÂ’s written record on issues of importance to women.

With Elena Kagan’s confirmation, there would be three women Justices on the nine-person Court – the most in history. “We applaud the President for selecting a nominee of such accomplishment who would bring a wealth of experience that would help the Court better reflect both the composition of the legal profession and, most importantly, the people of this country,” said NWLC Co-President Nancy Duff Campbell.

The National WomenÂ’s Law Center has extensive expertise in the legal issues of central importance to women and in how Supreme Court rulings have affected women and their families, in such areas as the constitutional right to privacy, federal anti-discrimination protections that apply at work and at school, the constitutional guarantee of equal protection, and CongressÂ’ ability to enact health, safety and economic and social welfare legislation. 

To interview Marcia Greenberger or Nancy Duff Campbell about this nomination, contact: Karen Schneider, kschneider@nwlc.org or Maria Patrick, mpatrick@nwlc.org or by calling 202.588.5180.

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The National Women's Law Center is a non-profit organization that has been working since 1972 to advance and protect women's legal rights. The Center focuses on major policy areas of importance to women and their families including economic security, education, employment and health, with special attention given to the concerns of low-income women. For more information on the Center, visit:  www.nwlc.org.