Lifelong Civil Rights Activist Andrea Young takes the helm of the ACLU of Georgia
ATLANTA, GA. – Lifelong civil rights activist and Georgia native Andrea Young is the new executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, taking the helm of the statewide affiliate of the ACLU as of Jan. 1.
“As a lifelong civil rights activist and proud Georgia native, I am deeply honored to lead the ACLU of Georgia at this import-ant time,” said Young. “From protecting the right to vote and women’s reproductive freedom to defending the rights of LGBT Georgians and standing with our immigrant neighbors, the work of the ACLU is more important than ever before.”
Young is an attorney, activist, and author who has devoted her career to defending and extending civil and human rights. Most recently an Adjunct Professor at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, Young served for many years as the executive director of the Andrew J. Young Foundation, where she worked to preserve and advance the legacy of her father – a former Atlanta mayor, civil rights leader, U.S. Congressman, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Andrea is an accomplished leader who has spent her career fighting to protect civil rights – from advancing the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement at the Andrew J. Young Foundation to defending reproductive freedom at Planned Parenthood,” said ACLU of Georgia Board President Gail Podolsky. “As a lifelong civil rights activist and proven leader, Andrea is uniquely qualified to lead the ACLU of Georgia at this important time.”
Young previously worked as a legislative assistant to Sen. Edward Kennedy and as chief of staff for the first woman to represent Georgia in Congress, Rep. Cynthia McKinney. She also served with the United Church of Christ in global mission and advocacy, and she has held executive positions for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, the National Black Child Development Institute, and the Southern Education Foundation.
Young holds degrees from the Georgetown University Law Center and Swarthmore College. Born in Thomasville, she is the co-author of “Andrew Young and the Making of Modern Atlanta,” author of “Life Lessons My Mother Taught Me” and collaborated with Andrew Young in writing his memoir of the civil rights movement, “An Easy Burden: Civil Rights and the Transformation of America.”
Visit www.acluga.org for more information.
