Affirmative Action “Positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in area of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded.” Source: Fullinwider, /entries/affirmative-action/

Affirmative Action Timeline President Kennedy issued Executive Order that mandates federally funded projects to take “affirmative practices to ensure employment practices are free of bias.” President Johnson prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin through the Civil Rights Act President Johnson amends EO to address discrimination based on gender.

Affirmative Action Timeline President Nixon via Philadelphia Order discourages quotas, but requires contractors to demonstrate affirmative action to increase minority employment The University of California v. Bakke landmark Supreme Court case on reverse discrimination. 1980s & early 1990s - various court cases regarding affirmative action and hiring/termination practices in business and education.

Affirmative Action Timeline President Clinton supports policy of “mend it, don’t end it.” Hopwood v. University of Texas Law School, the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals suspended the university’s affirmative action admissions program and Bakke ruled invalid Proposition 209 (CA) banned all forms of affirmative action in California (no AA and no discrimination).

Affirmative Action Timeline Washington state passed Initiative 200 (similar to Proposition 209 in California) Florida bans race as factor in college admissions; University of Michigan’s undergrad AA policy upheld by federal judge Different judge’s opposite ruling in University of Michigan’s case (decision reversed in 2002 on appeal) Supreme Court upholds University of Michigan’s AA because, “it furthers a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body.”