March is Women’s History Month, but here at AFJ, we know that protecting and advancing women’s rights is a year-round effort, especially in the face of such aggressive and unrelenting attacks. That is why every day we work alongside our members, partners, and allies to advance a vibrant and inclusive democracy.

We're proud of the progress the Biden Administration has made in focusing on women – especially women of color – in its judicial nominations, and look forward to it continuing the trend. 

In celebration of the extraordinary women who fight for a more just America, I recently spoke with Dahlia Lithwick about her new book Lady Justice. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen as Dahlia and I talk about structural reform of the Supreme Court, the significance of Biden's focus on women nominees, where to find optimism, and much more. 

Today, tomorrow, this month and always, we strive to secure justice for all. Your support and engagement make this work possible – thank you. 

Sincerely,

Rakim

On February 28, the Supreme Court heard a pair of cases that will determine the fate of President Biden’s plan to provide much-needed relief to millions of Americans who are struggling under the crushing weight of the $1.7 trillion student loan debt crisis. AFJ and our coalition partners hosted the People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation in front of the Supreme Court where AFJ President Rakim Brooks spoke to the audience about the importance of supporting student loan relief.

To get a biweekly update on the campaign to fill every seat by 2025, make sure you're signed up for The Rush here. 

As we continue to see, the Supreme Court is making decisions that impact all our lives. 

In a post for Democracy Docket, Rakim discusses how we need to look at specific reforms and be willing to question all of the Supreme Court’s current practices to force alignment with our democratic values. 

This touches on the issues at stake in the student loan debate as a jumping off point for the need for more transparency, accountability, and other ethics reforms. 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has delivered extremely consequential rulings on disability, voters' access, education, representation, environment, workers’ rights, abortion, and more. On April 4, Wisconsinites can vote for a court that protects everyone, not just the wealthy and the powerful. With Justice Patience Roggensack retiring from the bench, it is crucial to learn about the candidates and the court's impact. Don't forget to mark your calendar! Check out our State Court Justice Project to learn more about how your state's highest court is selected.

The Senate has continued to confirm the Biden administration’s nominees at a record pace. With 117 judges confirmed, President Biden, Leader Schumer, and Chairman Durbin have appointed and confirmed more judges than any other president at this point in their first term.  

Most recently, the Senate confirmed Jessica G.L. Clarke (S.D.N.Y),  Maria Araujo Kahn (2nd Cir.), James Edward Simmons, Jr. (S.D. Cal.), Arun Subramanian (S.D.N.Y), Andrew Schopler (S.D. Cal.), and Stewart Ballou (W.D. Vir.).

Arun Subramanian will be first South Asian judge to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

To make nonprofit advocacy bolder and easier, we created a handy “Best of BA” one-pager outlining our most popular resources spanning advocacy and lobbying, funding advocacy, election-related activities, and nonpartisan partnerships. 

In partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project, Bolder Advocacy is back with six new Practical Guidance State Lobbying guides (CA, MT, NE, UT, WA, and WV), the ultimate roadmap to navigating state lobbying disclosure rules. 

Our latest Rules of the Game podcast episode dives into the rules public foundations need to know when advancing their missions through advocacy. Tune in here! 

Vice President, Institutional Advancement

“What excites me about our courts is that a changing America will eventually reflect a changed, more diverse and more democratic judiciary that protects and upholds the rights of ALL Americans, not just the few.” 

Fueling the mission to strengthen our courts to ensure a just, free, and equitable society for all! Meet Anne - the seasoned fundraising expert who collaborates with top executives and programs to drive organizational growth and sustainability.

Anne is a graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A.) and the University of Chicago (M.A.), and she has more than 15 years of experience in mission-driven fundraising.

Anne is dedicated to ensuring the sustainability and growth of AFJ and brings a breadth of experience in building teams, increasing and diversifying revenue sources, and building collaborative donor relationships. Prior to joining AFJ, Anne served as the lead fundraiser at Issue One, and she has also worked in a variety of organizations that focus on women’s and labor rights, economic justice, and Latin American policy. 

When asked what drew her to AFJ, Anne responded, “I was drawn to AFJ for the incredible importance of the work to serve as a xxxxxx against the courts' shift to the right and the resulting deterioration of our democracy.” 

Anne’s passion for her work is fueled by “knowing that there are so many Americans who care deeply about the issues that are decided by, or affected by, the courts but don't know how to use their power to create change in the courts.” Anne feels that AFJ has created a home for this movement and she’s very excited to share that message with longtime supporters and new donors who join our cause. 

Read our full profile of Anne.

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Alliance for Justice
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