Patricia Ireland is one of the most influential feminist leaders in America. Since assuming the presidency of the National Organization for Women in December 1991, she used her experience in corporate law and as a groundbreaking activist to move NOW to the forefront of the political scene. With almost 300,000 members, NOW is widely recognized as a key player in efforts to improve social and economic conditions for women in the United States and around the world.

As president of NOW, Ireland is a constant presence in the media outlets that shape public opinion. She has appeared on ABC’s Nightline, PBS’s MacNeil-Lehrer Report, NBC’s Donahue and CNN’s Larry King Live. Ireland also broadcast political commentary for a year and a half on an all- news radio station in Miami and has published numerous op-ed pieces. Her work is also featured prominently in National NOW times, with a national subscription of almost 300,000. Furthermore, she reached an audience of some 30,000 people through speaking engagements last year, from college campuses to the National Press Club. Patricia Ireland brings extensive legal credentials to her work with the women’s rights movement. In 1975, she graduated cure laude from the University of Miami Law School, where she served both on the Law Review and the Lawyer of Americas, the university’s inter-American Law journal. A 12-year career as attorney followed, culminating in a partnership at a prestigious Miami law firm, where she practiced corporate and commercial law while serving as NOW’s pro bono legal counsel.

With Irish roots on her mother’s side, Patricia Ireland initiated NOW’s Global Feminist Conference in 1992 to celebrate the organization’s Silver Anniversary by bringing women from more than 45 countries to Washington, D.C. for a series of events. She has represented NOW in England, France, Germany, Brazil, Cuba and Kenya. With expectations of serving as NOW’s president into the next century, Patricia Ireland promises to be a major figure in the women’s rights movement during the next decade and beyond.