Patricia Ireland

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Patricia Ireland (born October 19, 1945) is an American administrator and feminist. She served as president of the National Organization for Women from 1991 to 2001 and published an autobiography, What Women Want, in 1996.

Early life

Ireland was born on October 19, 1945, in Oak Park, Illinois. Her parents were James Ireland, a metallurgical engineer, and Joan Filipek, a volunteer counselor at Planned Parenthood. She grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, and graduated from Valparaiso High School at the age of sixteen in 1962.[1][2][3] She began studying at DePauw University and married Don Anderson, a student at Ball State University, and the couple transferred to the University of Tennessee. She quickly divorced her first husband and received her bachelor's degree from the university in 1966.[1] She received a J.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1975. She also attended Florida State University College of Law.[4][5]

Career

Before beginning a career as an attorney, Ireland worked as a

anti-abortion protesters around the United States. Ireland became the president of NOW in 1991. She ran for re-election in 1993, winning with 671 votes against Efia Nwangaza, who received 235 votes.[8][9]

Immediately following Ireland's appointment to president of NOW, questions arose about her sexual orientation.

The Advocate, in which she states that she had a female companion while remaining married to her second husband.[11][12][13][14][15] She published a book, What Women Want, in 1996.[16]

In 2003, Ireland served for six months as the

Ireland returned to Miami and resumed practicing law, representing unions and their members until her retirement in 2023.

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ McCollum, Carmen (October 22, 2013). "Patricia Ireland fired by YWCA". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  3. ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  4. . Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  5. . Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  6. .
  7. ^ Fineman, Howard (July 21, 1991). "Shaking Things Up At Now". Newsweek. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Edsall, Thomas B. (July 4, 1993). "Ireland Wins Bitter Battle for NOW Post". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Tugend, Alina (June 28, 2001). "For Patricia Ireland, a World of Feminism". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  10. .
  11. The Advocate
    1991-12-17. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  12. ^ Clift, Eleanor (December 15, 1991). "Patricia Ireland: What Now?". Newsweek. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  13. ^ Beyette, Beverly (February 24, 1992). "The Lesbian Issue Resurfaces". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  14. ^ Mann, Judy (January 15, 1992). "NOW, Lesbianism and Liability". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  15. ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  16. ^ Selvin, Molly (August 11, 1996). "Whiplash From Backlash: What Women Want". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  17. ^ "Patricia Ireland fired from YWCA". The Advocate. 2003-10-22. Retrieved 2007-01-23.
  18. ^ "YWCA Expels CEO After Short Term". Los Angeles Times. October 21, 2003. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  19. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  20. .
  21. .

External links

Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by
President of the National Organization for Women

1991–2001
Succeeded by