United States – Mississippi Tyler sees the barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in her community and wants to create a space that centers Black femme in Mississippi as leaders, allowing them to control the narrative of their sexual and reproductive health. She works for Planned Parenthood Southeast and is creating a platform to elevate and … Read More
Elliot Wade
United States – Louisiana Elliot spearheads efforts in Louisiana to offer Gay Straight Alliances (GSA) in high schools, particularly in rural areas. He has been an organizer for Where the Love Is Illegal, a digital storytelling project sharing LGBTQ stories globally. He works with Louisiana Trans Advocates and is passionate about elevating the voices of LGBTQ youth and creating safe … Read More
Edith Romero
United States – Louisiana Edith holds a firm belief that sexual and reproductive health is deeply intertwined with women’s rights and wellbeing. She works for Luke’s House Clinic and is driven to engage those who are left out of dialogues and programs for reproductive health, and create intersectional, inclusive health programs. Rise Up Cohort: Youth Champion 2019
Ashley Sheffield
United States – Louisiana Ashley works at the Feminist Majority Foundation and is committed to improving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and policymaking. She is interested in learning more about policy processes and advocating for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Louisiana to guarantee equal rights for all persons regardless of sex in the USA. Ashley advocates … Read More
Leslyn Smith
United States – Mississippi Leslyn has been organizing in the sexual and reproductive health community since she was a child, having grown up with a mother who worked as a social worker with people with HIV/AIDS. She is an intern with Love Me Unlimited4Life where she leads the planning and coordination of a Summit for young women 16-24 years old … Read More
Antwan Matthews
United States – Mississippi Antwan is a sexual and reproductive health advocate who cares deeply about the physical, emotional, and psychological health of individuals globally, especially the Black community in Mississippi. He works at Glide and Peer HEALTH Educators where he supports, educates, advises, teaches, and heals people receiving health care who are impacted by the history of medical abuses … Read More
Ana Pano
Womxn’s Support and Social Worker, Root and Rebound Ana is an intersectional feminist, community organizer, and social worker. In her current role, she provides direct services to systems-impacted and formerly incarcerated womxn in Fresno and the Central Valley. Ana is passionate about local and global solidarity for currently and formerly incarcerated womxn who are in jails, prisons, and detention centers. … Read More
Katharina Beeler
International Rescue Committee, Instructor and Employment Specialist Katharina is an instructor and gender equity advocate. In her current role, she teaches English language learners and a youth customer service training class, helps her clients obtain employment, and is the gender equity champion for her office. She is driven by the desire to ensure that individuals coming into the country as … Read More
Roselyn Macias
LGBTQ+ Program Community Worker, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. Roselyn is a leader for Conexiones, a support group mostly made up of Latina transwomen in Monterey County who are dedicated to raising awareness and visibility in the community for transgender, non-binary, and queer women of color. She is a passionate and active advocate in her community and for more than … Read More
Joanna Esparza
President, She Became Joanna is a community activist and visionary leader. In her current role, she develops curricula to advance girls’ education and economic opportunities. She is passionate about creating social justice and paving a way for our future generations. Joanna is also a writer and has twice been the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service award. Rise Up Cohort: … Read More
