The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, the New York-based legal advocacy organization, today announced that it has changed its name, effective immediately, to the Center for Reproductive Rights. The change is designed to emphasize the goal it seeks to achieve – women’s rights to reproductive health and choices – rather than the means it uses to secure those rights.

"Reproductive rights are the foundation for women’s self-determination," said Nancy Northup, recently appointed President of the Center. "They are fundamental human rights, and by changing the Center’s name we seek to focus attention on those rights – and the aspirations associated with them – rather than on the legal advocacy tools we use."

The name change decision is the result of a year-long branding study that began under the direction of Ms. Northup’s predecessor, Janet Benshoof, President Emerita and founder of the organization. The new name, Center for Reproductive Rights, shifts the focus to the Center’s aspirations – and the aspirations of billions of women and men around the world, who seek to determine the course of their own lives and lives of their families.

The name change does not alter the way in which the Center functions nor does it change the mission that has driven it for the past 10 years. As the new tagline "The Power of Law for Every Woman" makes clear, the Center for Reproductive Rights will continue to pursue bold and innovative legal strategies to secure reproductive freedom for all women. The Center will continue taking the lead in cutting-edge domestic litigation throughout the U.S., and will continue holding governments – including the U.S. government – accountable for violating the reproductive rights of women. The Center for Reproductive Rights will remain steadfast in its resolve to defend the rights proudly celebrated in the new name.

In conjunction with the name change, the Center also launched a comprehensive branding design, with new logos, colors and styles - including a newly designed website. The award winning website still maintains all of the valuable information and features from the previous site, but now contains even more sophisticated features and navigational tools.