
Advocacy Groups 
Note:
Many of these advocacy groups support diverse issues, but they are
arranged, where possible, into categories, for easier searching. NAME
does not necessarily endorse all these organizations.
General
American Civil Liberties Union - "The
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is our nation's guardian of
liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to
defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to
all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United
States."
National Association for Multicultural Education -
The Founders of NAME envisioned an organization that would bring
together individuals and groups with an interest in multicultural
education from all levels of education, different academic disciplines
and from diverse educational institutions and occupations. NAME today
is an active, growing organization, with members from throughout the
United States and several other countries. Educators from preschool
through higher education and representatives from business and
communities comprise NAME's membership.
Gender
National Organization for Women -
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization
of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000
contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia.
Women's Education Equity Act
- The Women's Educational Equity Act (WEEA) Equity Resource Center was
established more than 20 years ago to bring support and resources to
the many exceptional efforts that are improving the education of girls
and women in the United States. The WEEA Center is a national project
that promotes bias-free education, believing that gender equity works
for everyone--for girls and women, men and boys. Our mission is to
increase educational opportunities and outcomes for all students by
focusing on gender equity and drawing on the strengths of gender, race,
ethnicity, disability, and income.
National Women's Law Center-
The National Women's Law Center has worked since its inception in 1972
to protect and advance the progress of women and girls at work, in
school, and in virtually every aspect of their lives.
AGELE - Association for Gender Equity Leadership in Education
- The mission of the Association for Gender Equity Leadership in
Education is to provide leadership in the identification and infusion
of gender equity in all educational programs and processes and within
parallel equity concerns including, but not limited to age, disability,
ethnicity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation and
socio-economic status.
Race and Ethnicity
American Indian Movement
- "Pledged to fight White Man's injustice to Indians, his oppression,
persecution, discrimination and malfeasance in the handling of Indian
Affairs. No area in North America is too remote when trouble impends
for Indians. AIM shall be there to help the Native People regain human
rights and achieve restitutions and restorations."
America Latino - Listing of numerous advocacy groups around the country
Center for the Study of White American Culture-
"Not an organization for white supremacists, as some people might
infer, we are instead a multiracial organization that looks at
whiteness and white American culture."
Japanese American Citizenship League-The
Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is a membership organization
whose mission is to secure and maintain the human and civil rights of
Americans of Japanese ancestry and others victimized by injustice.
NAACP - "For
more than nine decades, the NAACP has consistently relied on the
membership and participation of socially conscious individuals of all
races, religions, political affiliations and ideologies. While we have
fought and won many battles to end racism, and injustice, there is
still much work to be done. With your help we can build on the
tremendous progress we have made and work together to eliminate the
remaining barriers to freedom and equality for all Americans."
National Congress of American Indians-
"NCAI serves to protect the rights of Indian Nations and Native
Governments, to enhance the quality of life of Indian and Native
people, and to promote a better understanding among the general public
about Indian and Native governments, people, and rights."
Organization of Chinese Americans
- Founded in 1973, the Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc. (OCA) is
a national non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization of concerned
Chinese Americans. OCA is dedicated to securing the rights of Chinese
American and Asian American citizens and permanent residents through
legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of the
government.
Urban League - The
Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based
movement empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social
mainstream.
Religion
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)- "The
immediate object of the League is to stop, by appeals to reason
and conscience and, if necessary, by appeals to law, the defamation of
the Jewish people. Its ultimate purpose is to secure justice and fair
treatment to all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and
unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of
citizens."
Sexual Orientation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is
dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive
representation of people and events in the media as a means of
eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and
sexual orientation.
GLSEN - The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, is working to ensure safe and effective schools for all students.
PFLAG -
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a
national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and
supporters and almost 500 affiliates in the United States. This vast
grassroots network is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG
national office, located in Washington, DC, the national Board of
Directors and 14 Regional Directors.