Kathryn Kolbert is the director of Barnard College

Barnard College

Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...

’s Athena Center, the newly revamped Barnard Leadership Initiative. She is a former president of People for the American Way

People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...

 and the People for the American Way Foundation.

She successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court in Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in which the constitutionality of several Pennsylvania state regulations regarding abortion were challenged...

, widely considered one of the most important rulings regarding reproductive rights

Reproductive rights

Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...

in the United States. Kathryn Kolbert resigned as president of People for the American Way April 3, 2009.