National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2021

Media Contact:
Sarah Garfinkel, West End Strategy Team
sgarfinkel@westendstrategy.com; 202-765-4290

NCJW Hails Historic Confirmation of Vanita Gupta to the Department of Justice 

WASHINGTON – Today, upon Senate confirmation of Vanita Gupta to serve as Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Chief Executive Officer Sheila Katz released the following statement:

“National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is thrilled to welcome Vanita Gupta as a partner at the Department of Justice who will advance our mission to improve the lives of women, children, and families. In 1999, as a young lawyer, Vanita Gupta fought and won the freedom of nearly 40 wrongfully convicted people of color in the small town of Tulia, Texas. Now confirmed to serve as Associate Attorney General at the Department, she will fight for all of us.

“Making history as the first woman of color and civil rights attorney in the role, Gupta’s intersectional perspective and commitment to justice will ensure the Department’s civil justice, federal and local law enforcement, and public safety policies and programs better serve the people. Her experience and lifelong focus on equality will guide the Civil Rights Division, along with other influential agencies including the Office of Justice Programs, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Office on Violence Against Women, and related areas under her purview toward justice for communities most impacted.

“Vanita Gupta has worked her entire career for the rights and interests of those most vulnerable, and will bring a vital civil rights and racial justice focus to the work of the Justice Department at a critical moment for our country. As the president shared following the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin, we need Vanita Gupta’s leadership more urgently than ever.

“National Council of Jewish Women looks forward to continuing and deepening our relationship with Vanita Gupta to ensure everyone has access to justice.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 180,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.