Nadine Strossen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nadine Strossen
|
|
|---|---|
Strossen in 2007
|
|
| Born | August 18, 1950 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
| Education | Radcliffe College (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
| Occupation |
|
| Spouse(s) |
Eli Noam
(m. 1980) |
| 6th President of the American Civil Liberties Union |
|
| In office February 1991 – October 18, 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Norman Dorsen |
| Succeeded by | Susan Herman |
Nadine Strossen (born August 18, 1950) is an American legal expert and activist who works to protect people's rights. She is famous for being the president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1991 to 2008. She was the first woman to lead this important organization. Strossen is also a professor at New York Law School.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nadine Strossen grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. Her family's experiences greatly influenced her decision to work in civil liberties. Her grandfather, who came from Yugoslavia, was a protester during World War I. He faced harsh treatment for being a conscientious objector, meaning he refused to fight in the war because of his beliefs.
Her father was born in Germany. He was considered Jewish by the laws of that time, even though he was raised in a different religion. He survived a very difficult period in history. Strossen has said that these family stories inspired her to dedicate her career to protecting people's freedoms and rights.
She studied at Harvard College, earning her first degree in 1972. She then went on to Harvard Law School, where she earned her law degree in 1975 with high honors. While in law school, she was an editor for the Harvard Law Review, a respected legal publication.
Career as a Lawyer and Professor
After finishing law school, Strossen worked as a lawyer in private firms. She practiced law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1976 to 1978. Then she moved to New York City and worked at a firm called Sullivan & Cromwell from 1978 to 1984.
In 1984, she decided to start teaching law. She became an associate professor at New York Law School. She taught important subjects like constitutional law, which is about the basic rules of a country's government and people's rights. She also taught about human rights, which are the fundamental rights everyone should have.
Leading the ACLU
In 1983, Nadine Strossen joined the national board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is a group that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in the United States by the Constitution and laws.
She became part of the ACLU's national executive committee in 1985. From 1986 to 1991, she served as the organization's main lawyer, known as the general counsel.
In 1991, Strossen made history by becoming the first female president of the ACLU. She was the sixth person to hold this important leadership role. As president, she gave more than 200 public speeches and presentations, speaking out about civil liberties issues. She served as president until October 2008. After her resignation, Susan Herman, another constitutional law professor, took over the role.
Other Activities and Contributions
Nadine Strossen continues to be an active voice in legal and human rights discussions. In 2015, she was appointed the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law at New York Law School. She teaches students about constitutional law and human rights.
In 2019, her book titled Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship was chosen as a special reading for students at Washington University in St. Louis. In her book, Strossen explores how to deal with harmful or "hate speech" by promoting more free speech, rather than trying to censor it. She believes that open discussion is a better way to counter harmful ideas. She has given many talks about her ideas, including a keynote address at Washington University.
Strossen also spoke at a special event for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression in New York City in April 2023. This foundation works to protect free speech and academic freedom.
Personal Life
Nadine Strossen is married to Eli Noam, who is a professor at Columbia Business School. They were married in 1980.
Select Publications
- 2018: Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship (ISBN: 0-1908-5912-1)
