Faith Seidenberg facts for kids

Faith Seidenberg (October 21, 1923 – January 16, 2015) was an American lawyer and activist. She is famous for fighting for civil rights and women's rights. She helped change laws to make sure everyone was treated fairly, no matter their gender.

One of her most well-known actions was in 1969. She and another lawyer, Karen DeCrow, went into a place called McSorley's Old Ale House in New York City. This place only allowed men. When they were not allowed to buy anything because they were women, they decided to sue. They won their case, which made it illegal for public places to refuse service based on someone's gender. This was a very important step for equal rights.

Faith Seidenberg's Early Life

Faith Lenore April was born in Manhattan, New York, on October 21, 1923. She went to Calhoun School in New York. Later, she studied at Syracuse University.

In 1944, she married Robert Seidenberg. Faith then went to Syracuse Law School. She graduated in 1954. She was one of only two women in her law school class.

Her Career as a Lawyer and Activist

Faith Seidenberg started her law career in Syracuse. She worked as a public defender. This meant she was a lawyer who helped people who could not afford to hire one. She often helped young people make sure their rights were protected in court.

Fighting for Civil Rights

In 1963, a lawyer named William Kunstler asked her to help. She joined a group of volunteer lawyers. They defended civil rights workers in the southern United States. These workers were helping people register to vote.

Faith spent two summers working in Mississippi and Louisiana. After this, she became a lawyer for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). This group worked to end racial discrimination. She also defended Bruce Dancis, a student who protested the Vietnam War.

Working for Women's Rights

Faith Seidenberg also worked hard for women's rights. She was a national vice president for the National Organization for Women. This group works for equal rights for women.

In 1992, she took on a case about Title IX. This law makes sure that schools offer fair opportunities in sports for both boys and girls. Her case involved the women's ice hockey team at Colgate University. It was the first time a women's club team was changed into a full varsity team because of Title IX. This was a big win for women's sports.

She was also on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is a group that protects people's rights and freedoms. There, she helped start the Women’s Legal Defense Fund. This fund helps women with legal issues.

The McSorley's Case

Faith Seidenberg is most famous for her legal case against McSorley's Old Ale House. In 1969, she and Karen DeCrow tried to enter the ale house. It was a place that had only allowed men for over 100 years. They were told they could not come in because they were women.

So, they sued the ale house for discrimination. The court case was called Seidenberg v. McSorleys' Old Ale House. On June 26, 1970, the decision was announced. It made the front page of The New York Times. The court ruled that McSorley's was a public place. This meant it could not treat people unfairly based on their gender. This ruling was based on the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This part of the Constitution says that everyone must be treated equally under the law.

Faith Seidenberg's important papers from her time as vice president of the National Organization for Women are kept at the Harvard Library.

Her Private Life

Faith's husband, Robert Seidenberg, was a psychiatrist. He also supported women's rights. He was the president of the NOW chapter in Syracuse. Robert passed away in 2010. Faith and Robert had three daughters: Laurie, Dana, and Lisa.