The work of protecting and advancing civil rights and liberties is difficult, exciting, rewarding, and devastating. For more than half my life, I have been privileged to be a part of this work at the ACLU of Oregon. More than the victories in court, in the legislature, or elections, I have been most touched, most heartened by the many people I have had the opportunity to work with in this never ending struggle for dignity and justice.
In 1986, I began work at the ACLU of Oregon as the development director. I was new to Oregon and new to understanding my sexual orientation as a lesbian. I had grown up wanting to be a lawyer, but didn’t believe I was smart enough for law school.
The work of protecting and advancing civil rights and liberties is difficult, exciting, rewarding, and devastating.
I remember feeling so excited and nervous when I got the ACLU job. I was going to learn all about the law – and the board had just made gay and lesbian rights an organizational priority. Double lucky!!
When the ACLU of Oregon committed to LGBT civil rights five decades ago, that work changed the organization for the better. Over the years, we partnered in some amazing, groundbreaking, LGBT civil rights work that continues today. Our organization benefited from the involvement and leadership of many gay and lesbian community members.
Yet for as long as I have worked with the ACLU, we continually talked about how to make our organization racially diverse and we continually failed to understand how we were not a welcoming place for many people of color.
Finally, that is changing. Due to the incredible commitment and hard, painful work of several Black, Indigenous, and other women of color on the staff and board, we have begun the introspection and work necessary to change the ACLU of Oregon into a racial justice organization – both internally and externally.
I am excited for the future of our organization and the positive impact it will have in making our state a safer and more just place for historically disenfranchised people to live and thrive. The ACLU of Oregon’s work is committed to be led by and informed by people most impacted by the unjust, racist systems that have to be reimagined. We are changing, again, for the better from this leadership and commitment.
We are changing, again, for the better from this leadership and commitment.
I’ve learned we don’t have to be lawyers to make a difference. (Though having some brilliant, righteous lawyers in our mix is a big plus!) Right now, my retirement is wide open to new opportunities. But I will always make space to support my ACLU colleagues and to celebrate and appreciate their efforts to make a more just and equitable Oregon where each of us is valued for who we are. I invite you to join me in supporting the ACLU of Oregon by making a gift to invest in the future of this organization, take action through our action alerts, and by inviting others to learn more about our work.
My heart is full of gratitude to all of you who have supported or mentored me, laughed and cried with me, and who have cared for me over the years. I love you all.