Joan Claybrook

Joan Claybrook
Claybrook in 2016
Nationality American
Alma mater Goucher College (B.A.)
Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.)
Occupation Attorney
Known for Public Citizen

Joan Claybrook (born June 12, 1937) is an American lawyer who served as President of Public Citizen from 1982 until she stepped down in 2008.[1] Previously, she was head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the Carter administration from 1977 to 1981.[2]

Early life, education, and early career

Claybrook grew Baltimore, Maryland. She attended Goucher College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1959. After graduating, she worked in the congressional liaison's office at the Social Security Administration for six years before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1965 to complete a fellowship with the American Political Science Association. She also briefly worked as a staffer for then Senator Walter F. Mondale.[3] During this time, she met Ralph Nader as they both worked on improving highway and auto safety. In 1966, she teamed up with Nader to successfully lobby for passage of the nation's first auto safety laws - the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Highway Safety Act. These acts empowered the government to establish safety standards for new vehicles and issue recalls for defective vehicles and parts. In 1973, she earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Career

In 1977, Claybrook was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to head the then 10-year-old National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[3] Prior to her time with NHTSA, Claybrook ran Congress Watch, worked for the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the National Traffic Safety Bureau, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She served as the president of Public Citizen for 26 years.

Claybrook currently serves on Georgetown University Law Center's Board of Visitors. She also holds positions on the boards of Consumers Union, Citizens for Tax Justice, Public Justice, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Goucher College Board of Trustees, and the California Wellness Foundation Advisory Board.[4] Claybrook received recognition for advocating for airbag use in automobiles.[5][6] She stepped down from her post at Public Citizen in 2009[7] She was also involved in efforts for stricter automobile regulations including the 85 MPH speedometer.[8]

Awards and honorary degrees

  • Honorary Doctor of Law, Goucher College
  • Honorary Doctor of Public Service, University of Maryland
  • Philip Hart Distinguished Consumer Service Award, Consumer Federation of America
  • Excellence in Public Service Award, Georgetown Law Center
  • Honorary Doctor of Law, Georgetown University
  • Foremother, National Research Center for Women & Families

References

  1. ↑ Snyder, Jim (December, 2008). Claybrook steps down at Public Citizen group. Archived 2008-12-12 at the Wayback Machine. The Hill
  2. ↑ Roosevelt, Margot (August 8, 2006). Q & A: Joan Claybrook. Time
  3. 1 2 Holsendolph, Ernest (March 19, 1977). "Lobbyist for Nader to Head Safety Unit". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ Conniff, Ruth (March, 1999). Joan Claybrook - consumer advocate - Interview. Archived 2006-05-27 at the Wayback Machine. The Progressive
  5. ↑ "Public Citizen Press Room". citizen.org. Dec 6, 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Bedard, Patrick (September 1999). "Airbags Kill More Kids Than School Shootings - Column - Car Reviews - Car and Driver". caranddriver.com. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Werthheimer, Linda (20 August 2009). "Consumers' Crusader Joan Claybrook Steps Down : NPR". npr.org. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  8. ↑ "Interviews - Joan Claybrook | Rollover | FRONTLINE | PBS". pbs.org. February 21, 2002. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
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