Judy Lichtman

Meeting of February 15, 2012 - Unlawful Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers and Workers with Caregiving Responsibilities

Judith L. Lichtman is Senior Advisor at the Partnership for Women & Families. She has been a guiding and influential force in the women's movement for more than 30 years. She stepped down as President of the National Partnership For Women & Families in 2004. Her commitment, vision, and talent as an attorney and advocate have made a profound difference for women and families across the United States.

Lichtman often says: "I went to law school because being a lawyer gave me a license for activism." Under Lichtman's leadership, the National Partnership has been at the forefront of every major piece of civil rights legislation related to women and families for 30 years.

Founded as a small volunteer group, the National Partnership has grown into a national organization with thousands of members and has become one of the country's most influential strategic forces, shaping national policy through its advocacy, lobbying, litigation, and public education. Lichtman's vision and the National Partnership's strength and direct leadership have resulted in the passage of some of the most important legal protections for American women and families, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993.

In 1996, the National Partnership helped shape key provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that make it easier for women and their families to get and keep health coverage. More recently, Lichtman has led efforts to promote patient protections and to bring paid family and medical leave to California.

Lichtman has been recognized by civic and legal organizations, business and labor leaders, and others for her strategic abilities, political savvy, effectiveness in creating powerful and diverse coalitions, and her tireless commitment to building a truly just society.