ABOUT

WLP Mission

WLP leverages the power of the law to eliminate gender bias and discrimination.

WLP Vision

WLP envisions a society in which justice and equality of opportunity are not determined by sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, or intersecting identities, especially race.

WLP Values

WLP believes that:

• Every person has the right to bodily autonomy, health, economic security, and freedom from violence.
• Personal decisions about sexuality and procreation must be protected by the government instead of intruded upon.
• Gender and racial discrimination must be fought with an intersectional perspective.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion must be the bedrock of WLP’s programs and operations.

Differentiators: What Makes WLP Unique?

• WLP is the largest state-based law center addressing the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people.
• Having a focus centered on Pennsylvania sets WLP apart from other non-profit legal organizations working on gender-related issues.
• By acting at the state and local level, WLP has effected significant changes not only in Pennsylvania but nationally.
• WLP is dedicated to listening to women and being guided by their experiences.
• WLP employs four multi-pronged strategies to promote gender justice:
  ✓ Impact litigation and strategically selected individual representation
  ✓ Policy and legislative advocacy
  ✓ Community and stakeholder education
  ✓ Collaboration with affinity organizations.
• WLP has developed groundbreaking legal practices addressing reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and educational and economic opportunity.
• WLP understands the interrelationships among problems such as gender-based violence, safety in the workplace and school, equal access to economic equality and educational opportunities, and reproductive rights. WLP’s broad perspective can be especially useful in single-issue coalitions.

WLP Philosophy

Founded in 1974, Women’s Law Project is a nonprofit public interest legal organization working to defend and advance the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people in Pennsylvania and beyond.

We use an intersectional analysis to prioritize work on behalf of people facing multiple forms of oppression based on sex, gender, race, ethnicity, class, disability, incarceration, pregnancy, and immigration status.

We leverage impact litigation, policy advocacy, public education, and direct assistance and representation to dismantle discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and eradicate institutional biases and unfair treatment based on sex or gender.

We believe reproductive freedom is the keystone to our work. We seek equitable opportunity in many arenas including healthcare, education, athletics, employment, public benefits, insurance, and family law, and seek justice for survivors of gender-based violence.