For 38 years, the National Partnership has been changing the world in ways that make life better for women and families. From outlawing sexual harassment to prohibiting pregnancy discrimination to allowing families to take the family and medical leave they need more than 100 million times, we have fought for every major policy advancement that has helped women and families in the last three decades.

Today we are pioneering policies that help millions of workers balance their job and family responsibilities. Leading a national conversation about quality and disparities in health care. Promoting solutions that give Americans the information they need to make the best possible health care decisions for themselves and their families. Protecting women’s reproductive rights and the independence of our courts. Fighting gender, age, race and other forms of discrimination.

Our goal is to create a society that is free, fair and just. Where nobody has to experience discrimination, all workplaces are family-friendly, and no family is without quality, affordable health care and real economic security.

1971: A small group of extraordinary women forms the Women’s Legal Defense Fund (WLDF), later called the National Partnership for Women & Families.

1976: WLDF forms the Campaign to End Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers.

1977: WLDF litigates and wins Barnes v. Costle. The decision establishes, for the first time, that sexual harassment is illegal job discrimination.

1978: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is enacted, thanks in large part to the work of WLDF. This legislation clarifies that discrimination in the workplace on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions is illegal.

1982: WLDF launches a powerful public education campaign on wage discrimination, It Pays to be a Man.

1984: WLDF spearheads efforts to overhaul the nation’s federal child support enforcement program.

1985: The Family & Medical Leave Act, written by a WLDF staff attorney, is introduced in Congress. WLDF begins the nine-year fight to enact it.

1988: National child support reforms go into effect, thanks in large part to WLDF’s work.

1991:The Civil Rights Act of 1991 is enacted. The WLDF helped lead the successful effort to pass this critical legislation, which reaffirms that gender discrimination in the workplace is illegal.

1993: WLDF secures enactment of landmark federal legislation that has allowed tens of millions of workers to take time off for medical emergencies, childbirth, or caregiving. President Clinton makes the Family & Medical Leave Act the first bill he signs into law.

1998: WLDF changes its name to the National Partnership for Women & Families, and releases a national survey finding that most Americans believe pressures on working families are getting worse.

1999: The National Partnership launches its Campaign for Family Leave Income.

2002: The National Partnership’s technical assistance and national leadership on work and families issues help California become the first state to pass a comprehensive paid family leave law.

2003: The National Partnership launches Americans for Quality Health Care, a major initiative to improve health care quality and affordability.

2004: The National Partnership launches its Campaign for Paid Sick Days and releases a groundbreaking report on employment discrimination in America today.

2005: The National Partnership leads a successful coalition initiative in support of federal legislation to improve patient safety.

2006: The National Partnership helps local activists in San Francisco secure the first ever paid sick days ordinance in the United States.

2007 & Beyond: The National Partnership’s technical assistance and national leadership on work and families issues help Washington become the second state to pass a paid family leave law.

The National Partnership celebrates 38 years of accomplishments as an advocate U.S. women and families. Even more victories lie ahead. Together, we will create a society where every family has the opportunity to thrive, and every woman can participate and prosper.