Robert Gnaizda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Gnaizda
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| Born | August 6, 1936 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
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| Died | July 11, 2020 (aged 83) San Francisco, California, United States
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| Education | Columbia University (BA) Yale Law School (JD) |
| Occupation | General Counsel |
Robert Gnaizda (born August 6, 1936 – died July 11, 2020) was an important person who worked for fairness and equality for over 40 years. He helped start an organization called the Greenlining Institute in Berkeley, California. He was their main lawyer and helped guide their plans.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Gnaizda was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. His parents were Samuel and Sandra Gnaizda. He grew up in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn.
After finishing Stuyvesant High School, he went to college. He graduated from Columbia University in 1957. Then, he studied law at Yale Law School, finishing in 1960.
Working for Justice
Before helping to create the Greenlining Institute, Robert Gnaizda worked to help people in many ways.
Helping Rural Families
He was the chief lawyer for California Rural Legal Assistance. This was the first program in America to offer legal help to families living in the countryside. This program won many awards for being the best legal service program in the United States.
Starting a Public Interest Law Firm
He also started the first public interest law firm in the western United States. It was called Public Advocates. A public interest law firm works to help people and groups who might not otherwise get legal help, often focusing on social issues.
Government Service
Robert Gnaizda also worked for former California Governor Jerry Brown. He was California's Health Director. This meant he helped manage health services for the state. He also worked on health, welfare, and prison issues.
Supporting Farm Workers
He was a lead lawyer for California Rural Legal Assistance. In this role, he represented farm workers who had low incomes or were treated unfairly. This was during the time of César Chávez, who was a famous leader for farm workers' rights.
Awards and Recognition
Robert Gnaizda led over 100 important legal cases. These cases focused on helping minority groups gain economic power and protecting their civil rights.
In 2009, he received the Loren Miller Legal Services Award. This award is given each year to a lawyer who has worked for a long time to provide legal help to people who are poor. In 2016, he received an award from the Yale Latino Law Students Association.
Featured in a Film
Robert Gnaizda was also featured in a documentary film called Inside Job (2010). This film won an Oscar Award. In the movie, he shared his thoughts on the financial crisis that happened between 2007 and 2010.
Later Work
After he retired from the Greenlining Institute, Robert Gnaizda continued his work for justice. He joined the National Asian American Coalition and the National Diversity Coalition. As their general counsel, he worked with Faith Bautista. Together, they helped minority groups achieve home ownership and grow their businesses.
Robert Gnaizda passed away in San Francisco when he was 83 years old.
