US-born Jamaican woman is first black president of ACLU

Deborah Archer, daughter of Jamaican immigrants, was last weekend elected the new president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), becoming the first person of African-American ancestry to head the 101-year-old organisation.

A civil rights attorney who is a professor at New York University Law School, Archer will oversee the 60-member board and deal with operational, organisational, as well as fundraising issues.

A graduate of Smith College and Yale Law School, she joined the ACLU as a legal fellow in 1997, and became a member of the board in 2009.

She directs the centre on race, the civil rights clinic at New York University (NYU) School of Law.

In addition to her professorship, Archer is the co-faculty director at NYU’s Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law, and the director of the Civil Rights Clinic at NYU School of Law.

Archer has been a part of the ACLU for years, beginning her career as a legal fellow in the ACLU Racial Justice Program, the organisation stated. She’s been a member of the board since 2009 and a general counsel since 2017.

“After beginning my career as an ACLU fellow, it is an honour to come full circle and now lead the organisation as board president,” she said in a statement.

“The ACLU has proven itself as an invaluable voice in the fight for civil rights in the last four years of the Trump era, and we are better positioned than ever to face the work ahead,” she concluded.

Archer’s duties will include leading its more than 60 members in creating organisational policy, as well as overseeing things like the non-profit’s finances.

Susan Herman previously held the role, serving for 12 years.

Una Clarke, former New York City Councilwoman, congratulated Archer on her groundbreaking achievement.

“I am sure that you will make us proud, immigrants and non-immigrants alike. I wish you much success in your work and you have the support of the Caribbean community,” said Clarke, who knows Archer’s family well.

New York State Brooklyn Assemblyman, N. Nick Perry, expressed great delight at the elevation of Archer on her trailblazing achievement.

“As a proud Jamaican-American, I take extra pride in the fact that Mrs Archer is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants,” said Perry.

He said that Archer has been a fierce advocate for civil rights and racial justice throughout her career, and as president of the ACLU, he is certain she will continue her work to strengthen the rights and liberties of all Americans.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, herself of Jamaican parentage, paid tribute to Archer on her election to the ACLU presidency.

“I would like to extend sincere congratulations to Deborah Archer, the new president of the ACLU. After 101 years, it is high time that a person of colour holds this position. More aptly, I am proud that the first Black president of the ACLU is of Jamaica-American heritage. The ACLU has been a part of every important battle for civil liberties during our first century, and they remain committed to continuing that legacy as we enter our second. I wish President Archer all the best on her mission to advance future battles for civil rights, civil liberties, and systemic equality,” said Clarke.

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