Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A seminal piece of civil rights legislation in the United States, it provides crucial protections from discrimination for students and employees, including people at Western Washington University.

Parts of this law relevant to Western are Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities that receive financial assistance from the Federal government, and Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Other key components of the legislation include prohibitions on racial discrimination and segregation in access to voting, public education and public accommodations.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Opportunity Office takes this occasion to remind the Western community of the broad scope of this law and to honor the powerful legacy of those who worked towards its passage. Individuals from a diverse array of identities worked hard during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, some sacrificing their lives, to ensure we have these protections. We also honor those who today strive to ensure continuation of civil rights protections for all.

Faculty, staff and students with questions about Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act are encouraged to contact Sue Guenter-Schlesinger, vice provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, at 360-650-3307.