Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship

Shepherd Scholars are 3rd and 4th year law students dedicated to donating their legal expertise to fighting bigotry and discrimination, particularly in the area of sexual orientation and gender identity.  

The scholarship fund is named for the late Bill & Ann Shepherd, parents of lesbian daughters and a transgender son, who defied countless death threats in the mid-1970’s to co-found what would become the first chapter in Oregon of the International Federation of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – PFLAG. 

Bill Shepherd practiced law for over 56 years in Oregon; his career was a continuum of service to the Oregon State Bar, to fledgling law students and to civil liberties causes.  Ann was a newspaper reporter-turned mother of five, dubbed “Queen Mother” by
Just Out, Oregon’s premiere newspaper serving the sexual minorities communities. 

Bill and Ann’s passion for justice continues to be reflected in their belief that only through education do people exchange their bigotry for a heart of love and acceptance.

In 2016, OGALLA became the fiscal sponsor of the Shepherd Legal Scholarship Fund, retaining its 501(c)(3) status.