Ethel S. Sorokin

Ethel S. Sorokin (1928-2012) was an American lawyer and an advocate for civil liberties. Born Ethel Louise Silver in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 17, 1928, she pursued higher education at Vassar College before graduating from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1953. Notably, she was the first woman to edit the law review at the University of Connecticut Law School.

Ethel practiced law for 40 years in Hartford with her husband, Milton Sorokin. Together, they founded the Center for First Amendment Rights (CFAR) in 1993, an organization dedicated to educating young people about the fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. After Milton's passing in 1996, CFAR merged with the Connecticut affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 2008.

Sorokin was deeply committed to ensuring that young people understood the importance of civil liberties. Her persistent efforts helped secure funding for various educational initiatives, including writing prizes, symposiums, and conferences, bringing in speakers of high stature to engage students. The ACLU of Connecticut continues to honor her legacy through an annual essay contest for high school students on First Amendment topics, with the first prize named in her honor, and the annual Milton Sorokin Symposium.

Ethel S. Sorokin passed away on December 11, 2012, at the age of 84.

Sources:

Ethel Sorokin, CFAR founder, 1928-2012. (2017, July 27). ACLU of Connecticut. https://www.acluct.org/en/press-releases/ethel-sorokin-cfar-founder-1928-2012