News & Commentary written by Lenora M. Lapidus

Back to News & Commentary ›
A

Lenora M. Lapidus

Former Director

Women's Rights Project, ACLU

Bio

Lenora Lapidus was the director of the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµWomen’s Rights Project. She litigated gender discrimination cases in courts throughout the country, engaged in public policy advocacy, and spoke on gender equity issues in the media and to the public. Her work focused on economic justice, educational equity, ending gender-based violence, and women in the criminal justice system.

She and her colleagues won a unanimous ruling from the Supreme Court in AMP v. Myriad Genetics, striking down patents on the human BRCA genes, associated with breast and ovarian cancer. She also won a landmark victory from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Jessica Gonzales v. U.S., resulting in the issuance of historic guidance from DOJ to law enforcement on gender-biased policing. In 2015, she urged the EEOC to investigate the low number of women hired by studios to be directors for film and television, leading to an in-depth investigation.

Lapidus has received several awards and fellowships, including the Trailblazer Award from Women and Hollywood, 21 Leaders for the 21st Century from Women’s eNews, and the Wasserstein Fellowship for outstanding public interest lawyers from Harvard Law School. She graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and summa cum laude from Cornell University.


Featured work

Mar 26, 2019

Top 5 Reasons Why the House Should Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act

Top 5 Reasons Why the House Should Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act

Sep 17, 2018

A Full Investigation Is Needed Into the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Brett Kavanaugh

A Full Investigation Is Needed Into the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Brett Kavanaugh

Aug 16, 2018

Our Vision for Achieving Gender Justice In the Trump Era and Beyond

Our Vision for Achieving Gender Justice In the Trump Era and Beyond

Apr 12, 2018

The Senate Is an Outdated Workplace Unsuited to New Moms

The Senate Is an Outdated Workplace Unsuited to New Moms

Jan 18, 2018

If Sexual Harassment Is Illegal, Why Is It So Rampant?

If Sexual Harassment Is Illegal, Why Is It So Rampant?

Sep 22, 2017

Who Was Behind the Move to Halt Reporting Rules on Equal Pay?

Who Was Behind the Move to Halt Reporting Rules on Equal Pay?

Jun 9, 2017

Jessica Lenahan Lived Through a Domestic Violence Nightmare and Emerged as a Heroic Advocate for Police Reform

Jessica Lenahan Lived Through a Domestic Violence Nightmare and Emerged as a Heroic Advocate for Police Reform

Jun 1, 2017

Why Trump’s Newest Parental Leave Proposal Still Doesn’t Cut It

Why Trump’s Newest Parental Leave Proposal Still Doesn’t Cut It

Apr 4, 2017

Working Women, Your Paycheck Has Been Trapped in a Time Warp

Working Women, Your Paycheck Has Been Trapped in a Time Warp

Mar 8, 2017

On International Women’s Day, Here’s How the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµIs Fighting for Women’s Rights in the Face of the Most Anti-Woman Agenda in History

On International Women’s Day, Here’s How the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµIs Fighting for Women’s Rights in the Face of the Most Anti-Woman Agenda in History