User:Maryia17/Iris Mitgang

Iris Feldman Mitgang (September 2, 1937-May 6, 2017) was an American lawyer, specializing in family law, and a political activist. Serving as chair of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), Mitgang worked to advance women's equality and increase the number of women in judiciary positions.

Early life and education
Mitgang was born in Chicago, Illinois to Harry and Leanore Feldman. She attended the University of Chicago for her undergraduate degree. She later attended the University of Rochester, where she earned a Master's in literature. Mitgang attended law school at UC Davis and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1976.

Career
Mitgang won the campaign for the National Chair of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) in 1979 for a two year term. She was running against incumbent Mildred Jeffrey. Mitgang was described at the time as more militant than Jeffrey. While leading the NWPC, Mitgang worked to increase the number of women in political offices and on U.S. courts. Her work on increasing women in the judiciary lead to the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court. She was an advocate for women's rights issues, including abortion access and the Equal Rights Amendmen t. She was active in politics during and after her time as chair of the NWPC and would correspond with politicians and the media about women's rights legislation and the importance of having more women in policy-making positions.

Legacy
In 1998, at the age of 60, Mitgang was hit by a car while walking in Orinda. California. She was hospitalized and in a coma. She lived with a brain injury until passing in 2017.

The National Women's Law Center (NWLC) created the Iris Mitgang internship to honor her legacy. This internship allows for law students to work for judges and the court at the NWLC during the summer.