Story Gallery
Welcome to our story gallery. Use the search box above to find stories from specific people, states or organizations. Submit your own story -- we want to hear from you!
Eveline Shen
Aimee represents Western States Center at EMERJ which is our national reproductive justice movement building initiative. When I first met Aimee
I was immediately struck with her strength and fierceness! Aimee and her work with other organizations through the Gender Justice Program
Heather Lenox
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When I met Aimee, I had just become the new Executive Director of a non-profit receiving mentoring from the Western States Center. My organization had been without an Executive Director for 90 days when I arrived and there were many times when I called Aimee at a total loss or in tears.
Alan Rabinowitz
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I was the founding chair of Western States Center, starting in 1986 to serve with a stellar steering committee and board. The real story, however, is how that fledgling organization learned to challenge the Right Wing's initiatives against civil rights, especially with respect to the LGBT community.
Brian Hoop
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As a younger environmental, higher education and GLBT rights activist Western States Center's ALMP program helped to focus my organziing skills and political work to better incorporate a race and gender analysis. Now 15 years later as a government employee I continue to incorporate lessons learned from Western States Center to advocate for equity and inclusion in public governance.
Andrea Shipley
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As a young queer activist, I felt so many barriers to getting involved and staying involved. The work seemed unpredictable, the language used was cryptic and full of acronyms and gaining access to targeted decision makers seemed overwhelming. Then, Working for Equality and Economic Liberation helped me get into a program helping me grow personally and politically.
Ginger Wireman
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I was working for an environmental coalition - The Columbia River Bioregion Campaign-when I attended CSTI in 1994. The coalition and the issue they adressed have long since dissolved.
But the training I got will stay with me forever. In particular, Media 101, led by GLAD staff, was outstanding.
The people I met, the dedication to serving humanity that I witnessed was amazing...
Melinda "bob" Maureen
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I was a participant in the WILD class of 2004. This was one of the most important and influential leadership development experiences I've had in my life. I developed a strong foundation for community organizing and connecting issues and actions around marginalized communiites. I met lifelong friends and began moving through the world with a stronger sense of self and empowerment.
Maria Gonzalez Mabbutt
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During the 90's (when I served on Idaho Women's Network Board), I learned about CSTI. I ALWAYS wanted to attend this Conference, but the time (several days), the location (Portland) and the fact that I had a full time job (as Idaho's Farm Worker Monitor Advocate, within the Employment Department) plus was a single Mom (raising THREE daughters) posed several barriers for my attending.