Pauli Murray, a professor at Brandeis from 1968 to 1973, was a legal trailblazer and unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement whose ideas influenced Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s fight for gender equality and Thurgood Marshall’s civil rights arguments. She was one of the original co-founders of the National Women’s Organization, an Episcopalian priest, and a poet and writer of great acclaim. Her life story is shared in the 2021 documentary "My Name is Pauli Murray."
The film references the undergraduate legal studies coursework Murray developed at Brandeis, but she also created the first courses in African American studies and women’s studies at the university, and helped transition the American Civilization program into the American Studies program that exists today.
Direct your gift to one of the following designations, or type in your own, to honor Murray's legacy at Brandeis.