Ramona Ripston

Ramona Ripston was named Executive Director of the ACLU and ACLU Foundation in 1972, becoming the first woman to direct and ACLU affiliate.  In that capacity, she is responsible for litigation, lobbying and education. Under her leadership, the staff has grown from six to sixty people and the annual budget to 6.5 million dollars.  In 2006 the Los Angeles Times named Ramona as one of the 100 most powerful people in Southern California.  The Southern California ACLU occasionally takes independent positions from the National ACLU, including one on the current issue of campaign finance reform.  Ramona is a founding member of Death Penalty Focus, an abolitionist organization.  Shortly after our interview with Ramona, she announced her retirement, which is effective in February of 2011.  www.aclu-sc.org