History & Timeline

Taking action since 1971, we have been changing the world in ways that make life better for women and families.

Our goal is to create a society that is free, fair and just. Where nobody has to experience discrimination, all workplaces are family-friendly, and no family is without quality, affordable health care and real economic security.

Today, we celebrate nearly four decades of accomplishments. And, with your help, more victories are ahead.

1971: A small group of extraordinary women forms the Women’s Legal Defense Fund (WLDF), later called the National Partnership for Women & Families.

1976: WLDF forms the Campaign to End Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers.

1977: WLDF litigates and wins Barnes v. Costle. The decision establishes, for the first time, that sexual harassment is illegal job discrimination.

1978: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act is enacted, thanks in large part to the work of WLDF. This legislation clarifies that discrimination in the workplace on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions is illegal.

1982: WLDF launches a powerful public education campaign on wage discrimination, It Pays to be a Man.

1984: WLDF spearheads efforts to overhaul the nation’s federal child support enforcement program.

1985: The Family & Medical Leave Act, written by a WLDF staff attorney, is introduced in Congress. WLDF begins the nine-year fight to enact it.

1988: National child support reforms go into effect, thanks in large part to WLDF’s work.

1991:The Civil Rights Act of 1991 is enacted. The WLDF helped lead the successful effort to pass this critical legislation, which reaffirms that gender discrimination in the workplace is illegal.

1993: WLDF secures enactment of landmark federal legislation that has allowed tens of millions of workers to take time off for medical emergencies, childbirth, or caregiving. President Clinton makes the Family & Medical Leave Act the first bill he signs into law.

1998: WLDF changes its name to the National Partnership for Women & Families, and releases a national survey finding that most Americans believe pressures on working families are getting worse.

1999: The National Partnership launches its Campaign for Family Leave Income.

2002: The National Partnership’s technical assistance and national leadership on work and families issues help California become the first state to pass a comprehensive paid family leave law.

2003: The National Partnership launches Americans for Quality Health Care, a major initiative to improve health care quality and affordability.

2004: The National Partnership launches its Campaign for Paid Sick Days and releases a groundbreaking report on employment discrimination in America today.

2005: The National Partnership leads a successful coalition initiative in support of federal legislation to improve patient safety.

2006: The National Partnership helps local activists in San Francisco secure the first ever paid sick days ordinance in the United States.

2007: The National Partnership’s national leadership and technical assistance on work and families issues help Washington become the second state to pass a paid family leave law.

2008: The National Partnership celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, helps New Jersey become the third state to provide paid leave, and plays a critical defensive role in stopping some of the harmful Bush Administration changes to the Family & Medical Leave Act and regulations affecting women's access to reproductive health services.

2009: What a difference a year makes! The National Partnership helps lead coalition efforts that result in significant victories, such as enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Children Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, repeal of the global gag rule, and passage of economic security and health information technology provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

& Beyond: Meaningful health care reform including numerous provisions written by the National Partnership is within grasp. Help us get there »