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Writings and Commentary
Wilcher has written extensively over her career on the importance of civil rights, equal opportunity and inclusion both domestically and internationally.
Domestic and International Events
Commentary and Consultation on Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity
Shirley Wilcher has traveled throughout the United States and abroad and has spoken extensively on issues related to equal opportunity and diversity. She gave a presentation “Affirmative Action Gender and Race: a Legal Conundrum,” at (Somerville College) Oxford University’s Women Leadership Symposium in the United Kingdom. As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor, Wilcher represented the United States at the meeting on the Glass Ceiling hosted by the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland; and participated in discussions with the South Africa Ministry of Labor in its effort to pass employment equity legislation. While working for the National Women’s Law Center, she traveled to Sweden to co-study its women’s employment quota program. The report regarding the study was published by the Brookings Institution.
Wilcher has also testified before both Houses of Congress and has consulted with representatives of federal agencies on matters related to civil rights enforcement.
Publications for Government and Nonprofits
Investigative Reports on Civil Rights Enforcement and Litigation
• As Associate Counsel for Civil Rights at the House Committee on Education and Labor, Wilcher co-authored three investigative reports on the civil rights enforcement efforts of the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education, and at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). • More recently, while working for AAAED and the LEAD Fund, she co-authored a toolkit and report on Campus Hate and Bias. • Wilcher also participated in the drafting of the amicus curiae brief filed in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and University of North Carolina case before the U.S. Supreme Court on the issue of race conscious admissions in higher education. • She also participated in the AAAED lawsuit filed with the National Urban League and the National Fair Housing Alliance challenging the Executive Order13950 issued to curb the use of diversity training in the Federal Government and by federal contractors, subcontractors and grantees. • As the principal public relations representative for AAAED and the LEAD Fund, she has also written numerous press releases on behalf of AAAED and the LEAD Fund and has spoken with the news media frequently on these issues.
In law school, Wilcher served on the Harvard Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Law Review.
Articles and Commentary
Wilcher contributed to publications and has been interviewed extensively on equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity issues of the day.
• Among her more recent articles are Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and the University of North Carolina: A Temporary Swing of the Pendulum on a Trajectory Toward Inclusive Excellence and Achievement, Insight into Diversity, July 6, 2023, https://www.insightintodiversity.com/students-for-fair-admissions-v-harvard-and-the-university-of-north-carolina/ and • National Opinion Polls on Affirmative Action: Inflaming an Issue that is Divisive Enough, Opinion, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, November 17, 2022, https://www.diverseeducation.com/authors/contact/15303251/shirley-j-wilcher; • Women’s History Month: Honoring the Intersections of Disability and Diversity, U.S. Department of Labor Blog, Shirley J. Wilcher, March 28, 2022, https://blog.dol.gov/2022/03/28/womens-history-month-honoring-the-intersections-of-disability-and-diversity.
• Many Facets: America's Women Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Augustus F. Hawkins Foundation, Association Facets, at 28, Nape Blog, September 10, 2020, https://napequity.org/announcing-many-facets-americas-women-commemorate-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-19th-amendment/
Wilcher has been quoted extensively on issues related to access, equity and diversity. The following is a selected list of news stories in which she was quoted.• Inside Higher Ed, “The Demands of Students for Fair Admissions,” Scott Jaschik, July 13,2023, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/2023/07/13/demands-students-fair-admissions • Best Colleges, “A History of Affirmative Action in College Admissions,” Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D., July 20, 2023, https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/2020/08/10/history-affirmative-action-college/ • Inside Higher Ed, “Affirmative Action Suit Against Yale Is Dropped,” Scott Jaschik, Feb. 7, 2021, https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/02/08/affirmative-action-case-against-yale-dropped
• The New York Times, “Trump Attack on Diversity Training Has a Quick and Chilling Effect,” Hailey Fuchs, October 13, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/us/politics/trump-diversity-training-race.html • Inside Higher Ed, “Most Americans Say Colleges Shouldn't Consider Race,” Scott Jaschik, March 3, 2019, https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2019/03/04/survey-finds-most-americans-say-colleges-shouldnt-consider-race • Inside Higher Ed, “Yale Is New Target Over Alleged Anti-Asian Bias,” Scott Jaschik, September 18, 2018, https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2018/09/27/us-reveals-investigation-alleged-anti-asian-bias-yale • MassLive,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to give 2018 Mount Holyoke College commencement address,” Apr. 13, 2018, (Wilcher noted as one of the honorary doctorate recipients).• Daily Labor Report, “Could Trump Eliminate Federal Contractor Bias Watchdog?” Jay-Ann Casuga, January 27, 2017, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/could-trump-eliminate-federal-contractor-bias-watchdog • Inside Higher Ed, “New Standards for Diversity Officers,” Colleen Flaherty, November 23, 2014, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/11/24/growing-ranks-diversity-officers-get-set-professional-standards
