Ward Connerly, author
of the autobiography, Creating Equal: My Fight Against Race
Preferences, is founder and chairman of the American Civil
Rights Institute¾a national, not-for-profit organization
aimed at educating the public about the need to move beyond
racial and gender preferences. Mr. Connerly has gained national
attention and respect as an outspoken advocate of equal opportunity
for all Americans, regardless of race, sex, or ethnic background.
As a member of the University of California Board of Regents,
Mr. Connerly focused the attention of the nation on the University’s
race-based system of preferences in its admissions policy.
On July 20, 1995, following Mr. Connerly’s lead, a majority
of the Regents voted to end the University’s use of
race as a means for admissions. He was appointed to a 12-year
term as UC Regent in March 1993.
In 1995, Mr. Connerly
accepted chairmanship of the California Civil Rights Initiative
(Proposition 209) campaign. He accepted this responsibility
in December 1995 when he decided the campaign was in jeopardy.
Under his leadership, the campaign successfully obtained more
than 1 million signatures and qualified for the November 1996
ballot. California voters passed Proposition 209 by a 55 percent
to 45 percent margin