Women and the Law Program to Collaborate on Law Students for Reproductive Justice Fellowship Program
CONTACT:
Franki Fitterer, Director of Public Relations, American University Washington College of Law, (202) 274-4279
Mariko Miki, Director of Academic and Professional Programs, Law Students for Reproductive Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug., 22, 2012 -- The Women and the Law Program at American University Washington College of Law and Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ) proudly announce a collaboration to support the Law Students for Reproductive Justice Fellowship Program (RJFP).
Launched in 2010, the RJFP is a unique legalfellowship program for recent law school graduates interested in working to advancewomen’s health and reproductive justice. The RJFP is intended to enhance capacity at nonprofit organizations working to influence law and policy and to build a pipeline for future reproductive justice lawyers.
Reproductive Justice Fellows are selected through a highly competitive nationwide application process and placed for a year at organizations dedicated to women’s health and reproductive justice in Washington, D.C. Fellows are each paid a stipend of$50,000 plus benefitsand receive intensive mentoring, professional development, training, and networking opportunities during their fellowship term. The 2012-2013 class of fellows will begin on August 31.
Reproductive Justice Fellows come from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate remarkable knowledge of and passion for reproductive rights and justice issues. At their placement organizations, Fellows will assist with research, interpretation, communication, and application of law to aid the organization’s pursuits.
American University Washington College of Law will serve as the academic home for the RJFP, providing the fellows with access to the law school’s facilities, law library and research databases, and the wealth of events, conferences, and speakers hosted by the law school each year. The Reproductive Justice Fellows will participate in events and activities, including speaking, mentoring, and networking with current law students and attending academic conferences.
“We are thrilled to partner with LSRJ to support the fellows as they begin their careers,” said Daniela Kraiem associate director of the Women and the Law Program. “Promoting the integration of teaching and advocacy on women’s health and reproductive justice into the law school curriculum is a priority of the Women and the Law Program. Welcoming the RJFP Fellows into our community will enrich our Project on Gender Health and Justice and enhance the networking and educational opportunities available to Washington College of Law’s active student body.”
Law Students for Reproductive Justice (LSRJ) trains and mobilizes law students and new lawyers across the country to foster legal expertise and support for the realization of reproductive justice. Headquartered in Oakland, California, LSRJ has a presence at over 100 law schools nationwide.
The Women and the Law Program at American University Washington College of Law works to integrate gender into all aspects of legal education, doctrine, and practice by encouraging the development of feminist legal thought, educating emerging legal scholars in gender studies, creating supportive networks of feminist scholars, practitioners, and activists and disseminating scholarly and teaching materials that integrate gender into the study of law in specific contexts. American University Washington College of Law offers the only LLM (Masters of Law) degrees with Specializations in “Gender and Law” in the United States.
Learn more about the Law Students for Reproductive Justice Fellowship Program.
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In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.