UF law students learned from the former leader of the American Civil Liberties Union how they could get involved with the organization in protecting civil rights, even if they haven't graduated.
New York Law School professor Nadine Strossen, who was ACLU president for 17 years before stepping down in October, spoke for an hour and a half Thursday before fielding questions from an audience of about 50 people in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom in Holland Hall.
"There's a lot you can do, even before you get your law degree, to make a difference between having rights in legislation and having rights in reality," she said.
The event was hosted by UF's chapter of the American Constitution Society.
Michael Kassower, ACS president, said Strossen was the most high-profile speaker the organization has had since its start in 2002.
Both the ACLU, the nation's largest and oldest civil liberties organization, and the ACS, which was founded as a counterpart to the Federalist Society, are nonpartisan organizations.
The ACLU may not endorse elected officials, but that didn't keep the presidential election from coming into the conversation.
It was discussed primarily as an example for progress the country has made in racial equality.
However, Strossen said it is interesting how voters could elect Sen. Barack Obama as president but vote in favor of measures that ban gay marriage in California, Florida and Arizona.
"I was upset to see the juxtaposition with the presidential election," she said. "But it often takes multiple tries to get legislation changed. Activists never take 'no' for an answer."
