The Barbara Babcock NextGen Fund

With your gift, and as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Equal Rights Advocates proudly announces its One Million NextGen Campaign. Title IX is a seminal law that opened equal opportunities for girls across the country in the classroom and playing fields. As we prepare for the years ahead, the NextGen Fund, first seeded by Michelle Mercer and Bruce Golden, will allow ERA to meet the needs of our movement today as we also celebrate the vision of the founding mothers of Equal Rights Advocates. These founding mothers include the incredible Barbara Babcock, the Judge John Crown Professor of Law, Emerita at Stanford Law School.

Professor Barbara Babcock

Professor Babcock was an expert in criminal and civil procedure and a member of the Stanford Law School faculty from 1972 until her death in 2020. The first female law professor at Stanford University Law School, Professor Babcock was instrumental in the birth and development of Equal Rights Advocates. Professor Babcock and the students of her Stanford Law clinic joined with ERA to mentor the next generation of feminist legal advocates. She helped ERA secure seed nonprofit funding and served on its Board of Directors. Learn more here.

Professor Babcock inspired many of her students, including Michelle Mercer. Michelle and her husband Bruce Golden are fierce supporters of gender and immigrant justice, among other causes. As Professor Babcock fostered the next generation of lawyers, they do the same with this generous seeding of the Barbara Babcock NextGen Fund. We thank them and all the contributors of the fund to date.

Thank you for considering a contribution to the Barbara Babcock Next Gen Fund to help us meet our $1 million annual goal. Contributions may be made as multi-year pledges, and/or via stock transfer, and in honor of a tremendous mentor or young person who inspires you!