Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Definition and Overview

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, is a U.S. federal agency tasked with ending employment discrimination in the United States. It can bring suit on behalf of alleged victims of discrimination against private employers. It also serves as an adjudicatory for claims of discrimination brought against federal agencies.

The EEOC has five commissioners who make equal employment opportunity policy and approve litigation. These commissioners are appointed by the President of the U.S. and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In addition to the Commissioners, EEOC's General Counsel, who, just like the Commissioners, is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, directs the Commission's enforcement and litigation through the regional attorneys in the agency's district offices who file and litigate the Commission's suits throughout the country.

The EEOC's mandate is specified under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In 2004, Eric Drieband is the General Counsel of the Commission and the Chair of the Commission is Cari M. Dominguez.

Former Chairs of the EEOC

• 1965-1966: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
• 1966-1967: Stephen N. Shulman
• 1967-1969: Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.
• 1969-1973: William H. Brown, III
• 1975-1976: Lowell W. Perry
• 1976-1981: Eleanor Holmes Norton
• 1981-1982: J. Clay Smith, Jr. (acting)
• 1982-1990: Clarence Thomas
• 1990-1993: Evan J. Kemp, Jr.
• 1993-1994: Tony Gallegos (acting)
• 1994-1998: Gilbert Casellas
• 1998-1998: Paul Igasaki (acting)
• 1998-2001: Ida L. Castro

Example Usage of Opportunity