Background
DeCrow, Karen was born on December 18, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Samuel Meyer and Juliette (Abt) Lipschultz.
DeCrow, Karen was born on December 18, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Samuel Meyer and Juliette (Abt) Lipschultz.
Bachelor of Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1959. Juris Doctor, Syracuse University, New York, 1972. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), State University of New York, Oswego, 1994.
She was also a strong supporter equal rights for men in custody decisions and the choice of whether or not to become a parent. Beginning her career as a journalist, she joined the National Organization for Women in 1969, and in 1969 she ran for mayor of the city of Syracuse, New York, becoming the first female mayoral candidate in the history of New New York After entering law school, she earned her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1972—the only female in the class of 1972.
DeCrow was elected president of the National Organization for Women from 1974 to 1977, during which time she led campaigns to ensure that collegiate sports would be included under the scope of Title IX,pressured National Aeronautics and Space Administration to recruit women as astronauts, oversaw the opening of a new National Organization for Women Action Center in Washington, District of Columbia and the establishment of National Organization for Women"s National Task Force on Battered Women/Household Violence, and participated in a tour of over 80 public debates with antifeminist activist Phyllis Schlafly over the Equal Rights Amendment.
DeCrow was honored by the American Civil Liberties Union in 1985. DeCrow died of melanoma on June 6, 2014 in Jamesville, New New York
She was the author of several books, including The Young Woman’s Guide to Liberation (1971) and Sexist Justice—How Legal Sexism Affects You (1975).
She was the author of several books, including The Young Woman’s Guide to Liberation (1971) and Sexist Justice—How Legal Sexism Affects You (1975). In October 2009, she was inducted into the National Women"s Hall of Fame. DeCrow describes her ultimate goal as "a world in which the gender of a baby will have little to no relevance in future pursuits and pleasures—personal, political, economic, social and professional." Toward that end, DeCrow was a supporter of shared parenting (joint legal and shared physical custody) of children when parents divorce.
Her position on joint custody was criticized by some in the National Organization for Women: "I"ve become a persona non grata because I"ve always been in favor of joint custody," DeCrow said.
Quotations: "I"ve become a persona non grata because I"ve always been in favor of joint custody,".
Honorary trustee Elizabeth Cady Stanton Foundation. Active Honorary Committee to Save Alice Paul's Birthplace. Liberal party candidate for Mayor of Syracuse, 1969.
Member National Organization of Women (president 1974-1977, board directors 1968-1974, vice president), American Civil Liberties Union (Ralph E. Kharas Distinguished Service in Civil Liberties award 1985), New York Women's Bar Association (central New York chapter president 1989-1990, judicial screening committee, Joan L. Ellenbogen Founder's award 2003, Doris Hoffman medal 2005), Women's Bar Association State New York (founder, Central New York chapter, 1977, judicial screening committee, central New York chapter president, 1989-1990, nominate committee, 1996, 2001, Doris Hoffman medal 2005), New York Bar Association, Onondaga County Bar Association (professional ethics committee, federal courts committee, grievance committee, co-chair membership committee 2006, governance committee 2006, nominating committee 2006, board directors 2005-2007. Distinguished Lawyer award 2008), New York State Bar Association(member committee women in law 2009, Women Law committee member, 2009, Ruth Schapiro award 2009), Elizabeth Cady Stanton Foundation (trustee), Feminists for Free Expression (advisory committee), Abortion Rights Mobilization (board director), National Coalition Against Censorship, Working Women's Institute (board advisors), Syracuse Friends Chamber Music, Atlantic States Legal Foundation, Yale Political Union (honorary life), National Congress Men (gender issues advisor), Mariposa Education and Research Foundation, National Council Children's Rights (advisory panel), Wilderness Society, Northwestern University Alumni Association, Women's Institute Freedom Press, Art Institute Chicago, National Women's Political Caucus, Theta Sigma Phi. Co-chair, Women on Move Progressive, New York state Bar Association.
Married Alexander Allen Kolben, 1960 (divorced 1965). Married Roger DeCrow, 1965 (divorced 1972, deceased 1989).