SoCal ACLU leader stepping down

[n2doc]

After 38 years with the ACLU of Southern California, Executive Director Ramona Ripston has decided to retire in 2011.


"I'm very tired," Ramona Ripston concedes. She recently turned 83, but it's the recent setbacks to her causes that led to her decision to retire next year as executive director of the ACLU of Southern California. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times / February 19, 2010)

By Carol J. Williams
February 23, 2010


Ramona Ripston has never been one to back away from a fight.

As the driving force behind the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California for 38 years, she's battled police over the treatment of prisoners and the homeless. She's marched against segregation and sued for better inner-city schools. She's taken authorities to court for withholding public housing and medical care from those she believes need them most.

But with the recession taking a deep bite out of government budgets and philanthropy, Ripston has wearied of the setbacks dealt the causes she holds dear. On Tuesday, she will announce her plans to retire next year and hand off the unfinished battles to a younger successor.

more
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ramona-ripston23-2010feb23,0,4796901.story

[Trillo]

1. At 83 years of age,

she's certainly entitled to be tired.

Thank you!