Overview

The values that underlie the National Partnership’s work are fairness, equality, opportunity and justice. We are working to create a nation where pay is fair, workplaces flexible, health care affordable, opportunity equal, and discrimination is a thing of the past.

Justice matters — and the National Partnership has a long history of monitoring Supreme Court and other judicial nominees as well as tracking Supreme Court cases that are of supreme importance to women and families.

We will continue this critical work to ensure that the Supreme Court is committed to equal justice principles for all Americans.

Leading Women’s Group Endorses Sotomayor For U.S. Supreme Court

Statement of Debra L. Ness, President
National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, DC — July 21, 2009 — Citing her commitment to equal justice and privacy rights, outstanding qualifications, vast judicial experience, and the welcome diversity she will bring to our nation’s highest court, the National Partnership for Women & Families today endorsed Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve as the 111th justice on the U.S. Supreme Court and urged the Senate to act quickly to confirm her. 

In a new report, Justice Matters: Senate Should Confirm Sonia Sotomayor, the National Partnership analyzes Judge Sotomayor’s record and accomplishments.  The report looks at her education and legal experience, rulings in civil rights cases, position on reproductive rights, and issues relating to diversity on our federal courts.  It concludes that, “Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a unique and well-qualified candidate whose life history, work experience, and well reasoned rulings show beyond any doubt that she is a jurist of great intellect who is well qualified to serve on the United States Supreme Court.  Through her rulings and her commitment to public service, she has demonstrated a clear commitment to equal justice under the law. The National Partnership for Women & Families applauds President Obama for nominating Judge Sotomayor, and urges the full Senate to move quickly to confirm her.”

“This is a proud moment for the nation,” National Partnership President Debra L. Ness said.  “Judge Sotomayor has triumphed over adversity, and her hard work and keen intellect have deservedly brought her great accomplishment.  But this confirmation is about much more than her personal story.  Judge Sotomayor is eminently qualified and has vast experience as a federal judge, in private practice, and as a prosecutor.  The record shows she gives fair and careful consideration to arguments on both sides of a case, immerses herself in facts and applicable law, and seeks justice above all else in her rulings.  We are confident that she will support the legal principle that a right to privacy exists in the Constitution, and will continue to consider the real-world effects of court rulings.  She will be a strong, welcome addition to the Supreme Court.”  
 
 
For more information:
Report: Justice Matters: Senate Should Confirm Sonia Sotomayor
Leading Women’s Group Endorses Sotomayor For U.S. Supreme Court
Federal Judicial Center Bio 
Confirmation Questionnaire
President Obama’s Remarks on the Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor
Georgetown Law Library Supreme Court Nominations Research Guide

Many of the rights we rely on would not be in place without the rulings the Supreme Court has made throughout history. The National Partnership closely follows Supreme Court cases and engages in those that involve discrimination, sexual harassment, a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions, equal and full application of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other critical issues.
>>Learn more

Supreme Court Verdicts From this Term

Victories for victims of Harassment

• Crawford v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville
• Fitzgerald v. Barnstable

Defeat for workers trying to vindicate their civil rights in federal court

• 14 Penn Plaza LLC v. Pyett
• AT&T v. Hulteen 
• Gross v. FBL Financial Services
• Ricci v. DeStefano
   

>>Learn more about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
>>Learn more about the Paycheck Fairness Act

Leading Women’s Group Endorses Sotomayor For U.S. Supreme Court
July 21, 2009

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Judge Sotomayor Makes for a Historic Day, Women’s Leader Says
July 13, 2009

Serious Blow to Equal Opportunity
June 29, 2009

Sotomayor is Superbly Qualified, Tough & Fair, Women’s Leader Says
May 26, 2009

Women’s Leader Calls Supreme Court Ruling in AT&T Corp. v. Hulteen Disgraceful, Unfair and a Blow to Equal Opportunity Law
May 18, 2009 

MEMORANDUM: What’s at Stake in Ricci v. DeStefano
April 20, 2009

Women's Leader Urges Supreme Court to Protect Equal Opportunity In the Workplace for Women and Minorities in Ricci v. DeStefano
March 25, 2009

President Obama Ushers in a New Era in which Equal Opportunity Is Real & Anti-Discrimination Laws Matter, Women's Leader Says
January 29, 2009

Senate Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Is Enormous Step Forward, Ness Says
January 22, 2009

Ness Praises Senate for Rejecting Filibuster Strategy on Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Urges Speedy Passage with No Weakening Amendments
January 15, 2009

Ness Calls House Passage of Fair Pay Bills "Welcome Start to a New Year" - 01/09/09
January 9, 2009