Ramona Ripston

Ramona Ann Ripston (February 18, 1927 – November 3, 2018) served as the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU SoCal) between 1972 and 2011.[1][2] In her 38 years at the helm of the ACLU SoCal, Ripston had helped bring about substantial reforms in the region.[3][4]

Ramona Ripston
Executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California
In office
1972–2011
Succeeded byHector O. Villagra
Personal details
Born(1927-02-18)February 18, 1927
Queens, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 3, 2018(2018-11-03) (aged 91)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Early life

Ripston was born on February 18, 1927, in Queens, New York. Her parents were William and Elsie (née Fleischman). In 1948, she graduated from Hunter College with a degree in political science.[5]

Career

Ripston worked for the New York Civil Liberties Union as its public relations director then moved to the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee in 1965.[5]

In 1972 Ripston became director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.[6] She became "the first woman — and one of the few non-lawyers — to head an A.C.L.U. affiliate."[5]

At the beginning of her tenure, the ACLU SoCal had six employees and an all-male board of directors. Ripston began to grow the organization and diversify the board; she appointed more women, people of color and members of the LGBT community. By the time she retired from her position in 2011, the ACLU SoCal had 50 employees in two offices.[5]

Personal life

Ripston was married five times. She was the widow of federal judge Stephen Reinhardt at the time of her death in Marina del Rey, California, on November 3, 2018.[5][6]

References
  1. Williams, Carol J. (2010-02-23). "SoCal ACLU leader stepping down". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  2. Coker, Matt (February 23, 2010). "Ramona Ripston Retires as ACLU/SC Executive Director". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on 2010-06-30. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  3. Boyarsky, Bill (February 24, 2010). "Ramona Ripston: A place in L.A. history". LA Observed. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  4. "Longtime Southern California ACLU leader Ramona Ripston dies at age 91". Daily News. 2018-11-04. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  5. Seely, Katharine Q. (November 18, 2018). "Ramona Ripston, California Civil Liberties Champion, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  6. Ryan, Harriet (November 3, 2018). "Ramona Ripston, former executive director of ACLU of Southern California, dies at 91". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-11-20.


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