In 1981, Gray Panthers gained official NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) status at the United Nations. At the UN, we advocate for social justice and peace throughout the world and work to eliminate ageism, racism, and sexism. We represent "Civil Society" - the real people!

There are seven representatives from the Gray Panthers and they participate in a variety of committees, as well as attending commission and conference meetings of the UN. Gray Panthers involved at the UN are Judy Lear (Main Representative), Joan Davis, Weishan Huang, Gloria Korecki, Shuiho Lin, Jill Gerson and Lynna Scott Carnegie.

We have a strong presence on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) through our leadership on the board and active participation on the Sub Committee on Older Women. This committee acts as hosts for the UN - CSW meeting held every year in March. This past March the theme of the CSW was "The Girl Child" and National Co-Chair Sally Brown attended the meetings with a dynamic trio of young women, Clarissa James, Amina Mohammed and Patag Xiong. Everyone participated in parallel events, receptions and networking sessions.

Gray Panthers is also active on the NGO Committee on Ageing, the Migration Committee, Peace & Disarmament and Disabilities.

For additional information on the United Nations, feel free to access the following:

UN site www.un.org
UN events www.un.org/events
UN NGO Liaison Service www.un-ngls.org
UN Dept. of Public Info www.un.org/dpi/ngosection
UN CONGO www.ngocongo.org
UN children www.unicef.org
UN women www.un.org/womenwatch
UN Development Fund for Women www.unifem.org
UN Environment Program www.unep.org
UN H. C. for Human Rights www.unhchr.ch
UN H.C for Women's Human Rights www.unhchr.ch/women
UN Economic and Social Development www.un.org/esa
UN ECOSOC and NGOs www.un.org/esa/coordination/ngo
UN Millennium Declaration www.un.org/millenniumgoals
UN Webcasts of meetings/briefings www.un.org/webcast
UN Gender issues www.un.org/osagi
UN Division for the Advancement of Women www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw
Global Action on Ageing www.globalaging.org
World Health Organization www.who.org
Child Rights Information Network www.crin.org
CEDAW (Women's Rights Treaty) www.cedaw2010.org
Ratification of Cedaw www.womenstreaty.org