American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina

North Carolina affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, founded in 1969 and based in Raleigh.

From the description of American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina records, 1960-2005 and undated. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 36791147

Since its inception in 1965, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU of NC) has investigated and prosecuted cases relating to civil liberties issues, especially free speech, prisoners' rights, religious freedoms, and reproductive freedom. The organization was founded in 1965 by two High Point, North Carolina area lawyers, James Mattocks and Charles Lambeth, as the North Carolina Civil Liberties Union (NCCLU), in response to the 1963 institution of the Speaker Ban Law by the NC State Legislature. The statute was repealed in winter of 1965. In 1969, the North Carolina Legal Foundation (NCLF) was formed to carry out the legal activities of the ACLU of NC By 1970, there were local offices in Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, and Raleigh, with Durham, Chapel Hill, and Asheville soon to follow. The NCCLU officially changed its name to the ACLU of NC in the 1970s, in response to a National office request. Originally its operations were based in Greensboro; in 1987 the office moved to its current location in Raleigh. The ACLU-NC and its Legal Foundation are governed by all-volunteer Boards of Directors, comprised of individuals from many different parts of the state and who work in a variety of professions. Most Board members are elected by the general membership to serve three-year terms and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. The Board sets the agenda for the organization and is charged with governance, oversight and securing the resources necessary for the organization to carry out its mission. The ACLU-NC and its legal arm maintain six permanent staff positions: Executive Director, Legal Director, Legislative Director, Racial Justice Fellow, Paralegal, and Office Manager. The staff also is supported by many interns, law clerks, and volunteers.

• 1960s: Jim Shields acted as ACLU liaison to North Carolina
• 1965: Founding of the North Carolina Civil Liberties Union, later renamed ACLU of NC
• 1960s - 1970 : Norman Smith, Executive Director
• 1970 - 1989/1990 : George Gardner, Executive Director
• 1989/1990-1994: Jim Shields, Executive Director
• 1994 - 2002 : Deborah Ross, Executive Director and Legal Director
• Jan. 2003 - Nov. 2003 : Patricia Camp, Executive Director
• Nov. 2003 - May 2004 : Renee Hill, Interim Executive Director
• May 2004 - : Jennifer Rudinger, Executive Director

From the guide to the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina Records, 1960-2005 and undated, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)