Sonia Pressman Fuentes graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University
in 1950 and first in her class at the University of Miami School of
Law in 1957. She had a 36-year career as an attorney and executive with
the federal government and multinational corporations. She drafted many
of the EEOC's initial landmark guidelines and decisions.
In addition to being one of the founders of NOW (National Organization
of Women), she was also a founder of the Women's Equity Action League
(WEAL) and Federally Employed Women (FEW). In November 1996,
Betty Friedan presented her with the Veteran Feminists of America
(VFA) Medal of Honor in recognition of her efforts to improve the
status of women.
Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Woman's
Party (NWP) and on the advisory committee of VFA.
Since her retirement in 1993, she has pursued an active career as a
writer and public speaker. On October 10, 1999, Ms. Fuentes was one
of four recipients of the 1999 Women at Work Award given by Wider Opportunities
for Women (WOW). WOW, a nationwide organization based in Washington,
DC, has programs to help women and their families achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Fuentes received the award for her commitment to women's issues and
her leadership in the fields of law and business. Prior awardees include
Glenn Close, Jane Fonda, Katie Couric, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. On
March 21, 2000, at a ceremony in Annapolis, Ms. Fuentes was one of five
women in the State of Maryland inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall
of Fame for the year 2000.
"I walk in the footprints of Sonia Pressman Fuentes."
--Patricia Ireland, then-president, NOW
Fascinating, humorous lecturer on women's issues, feminism, immigrant
and Jewish issues, law, writing. Breast Cancer survivor.
Inquire about
a sampling of her current program titles.
