Civil Rights Community Celebrates Confirmation of Kalpana Kotagal as EEOC Commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mattie Goldman, [email protected]

 WASHINGTON — Jesselyn McCurdy, executive vice president for government affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the long overdue confirmation of Kalpana Kotagal to serve as a commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

“Kalpana Kotagal is an exceptionally qualified civil rights lawyer and a longtime champion for working people. Her experience addressing systemic discrimination will make her an outstanding member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Kotagal has dedicated her career to helping vulnerable workers — advocating for pregnant workers, representing thousands of women who experienced discrepancies in pay and promotion, and securing support for disabled veterans who faced discrimination in the workplace.

“Kotagal’s confirmation is long overdue. With the addition of her expertise and a full five-member commission in place, we urge the EEOC to move swiftly to address the many issues facing working people. From combating harassment to protecting LGBTQ+ workers to fighting for pay equity, there is a lot of work to be done. We look forward to collaborating with Kotagal and her colleagues to uphold civil rights laws in the workplace.”

Earlier this year, The Leadership Conference and the National Women’s Law Center sent a letter signed by 123 national organizations in support of Kotagal’s nomination.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 250 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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