Americans Who Tell the Truth

Eva Paterson

Eva Paterson Biography
Civil Rights Lawyer, Activist, 19??-

"Race is the great taboo in our society. We are afraid to talk about it. White folks fear their unspoken views will be deemed racist. People of color are filled with sorrow and rage at unrighted wrongs. Drowning in silence, we are brothers and sisters drowning each other. Once we decide to transform ourselves from fearful caterpillars into courageous butterflies, we will be able to bridge the racial gulf and move forward together towards a bright and colorful future."

Paterson grew up in a military family in France, England and Illinois. At 20 she took on then Vice President Spiro Agnew in a televised debate. She was called to testify before Congress. Following her graduation from UC Berkeley she worked for the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County and co-founded a shelter for battered women in Oakland, California. For 26 years Paterson served at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, 13 years as Executive Director. She led the organization's work providing free legal services to low-income individuals, litigating class action civil rights cases and advocating for social justice. In 1993 she founded and continues to serve as President of the Equal Justice Society, a national organization of scholars, advocates, and concerned individuals advancing innovative legal strategies and public policy for enduring social change.

Paterson co-founded and chaired the California Coalition for Civil Rights for 18 years, and was a leading spokesperson in the campaigns against Proposition 187 (ineligibility of illegal aliens for public services) and Proposition 209 (affirmative action ban) and numerous other campaigns against the death penalty, juvenile incarceration and discrimination against lesbians and gay men. Ms. Paterson served as Vice President of the ACLU national board for 8 years and chaired many other boards.