The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) just announced Deborah Archer as its new president, reports The Associated Press.

Archer will become the first Black person to head the organization’s 69-person board in its 101-year history.

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The former ACLU fellow will replace Susan Herman who stepped down after leading the board for 12 years through lots of controversial moments which include the emergence of civil liberties and privacy concerns in the digital age along with the Trump administration.

“After beginning my career as an ACLU fellow, it is an honor to come full circle and now lead the organization as board president,” shared Archer in a statement, according to Black Enterprise. “The ACLU has proven itself as an invaluable voice in the fight for civil rights in the last four years of the Trump era, and we are better positioned than ever to face the work ahead. This organization has been part of every important battle for civil liberties during our first century, and we are committed to continuing that legacy as we enter our second. I could not be more excited to get to work.”

Not only has Archer been a member of the ACLU board since 2009, but she has also served as a general counsel and has been a member of the executive committee since 2017, reports The Associated Press.

“As the country enters the post-Trump era, it is essential that those in leadership intimately understand the history that brought us to this inflection point and the work ahead,” said executive director of the ACLU, Anthony D. Romero, according to Black Enterprise. “There is no one better equipped, who best personifies or is more capable to helm the future battles for civil rights, civil liberties, and systemic equality than Deborah Archer.”

Archer also serves on the board of directors of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Deborah Archer

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