In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Charlotte Burrows said in a published statement:
“Dr. King devoted his life to the fight for equal rights for people of all racial backgrounds. He envisioned an inclusive future for all in his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963. In the wake of the March, the speeches, protests, and efforts of Dr. King and other leaders drove the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which turned 60 last year. Title VII of the Act not only prohibited employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, and national origin; it also created the EEOC. The histories of Title VII and the EEOC have been intertwined since that time in a joint story of justice and progress. But Dr. King’s fight for economic security continued long after the March and the passage of the Act. As Dr. King observed in a 1968 speech in support of striking Black sanitation workers in Memphis, ‘now our struggle is for genuine equality, which means economic equality.'”
She talked about something we talk about a lot at Follow Our Courts, access to justice and racial justice:
“Another key component of the broader fight for racial justice and equality is ensuring access to justice and the legal system, particularly for communities of color, vulnerable workers, and underserved communities. Recently the EEOC has taken a number of steps to implement this strategic enforcement priority. Just over a year ago we launched the E-file for attorneys tool, which allows licensed attorneys to submit charges of discrimination electronically to the EEOC, replacing prior manual processes. This digital solution creates efficiencies that allow us to devote resources and staff time to better serve individuals who are unrepresented. We have also expanded outreach efforts to vulnerable workers and underserved communities through the launch of the “Enhancing OutREACH to Vulnerable Workers and Underserved Communities” (REACH) Initiative. The initiative aims to advance equal opportunity for all by making the EEOC accessible to all members of the public and ensuring employees know their rights, while focusing specifically on workers who are often the least likely to seek the agency’s assistance. Since its inception in January 2024, the REACH Initiative has held 24 events with workers and advocates in 10 states and on Tribal land.”
To read the whole statement, click here.
