It Takes a Village ... To Work for Women’s Rights

A number of new staff members have joined the NOW Action Center since last summer. All eight of the women below jumped into action during a very busy season of events and elections. As NOW keeps watch on the new Bush administration and begins looking toward the 2002 elections, the hard work of these staffers will be invaluable to the struggle for women’s rights.

Lisa Bhungalia, Field Organizer–Racial and Ethnic Diversity
After an internship working on media relations for NOW, Lisa joined the Action Center staff in November as Field Organizer–Racial and Ethnic Diversity. She graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in English and wrote a column in her university newspaper advocating social change. During college, Lisa was a fervent protestor, fighting for feminist, queer and human rights causes, and ended up walking out on her college graduation because a conservative Republican was speaking. Lisa is ecstatic to be working within the feminist movement, and most importantly, to be working on issues disproportionally affecting women of color.

Catherine Bitney, Field Organizer–Lesbian Rights
With an active background in protesting at the University of Maryland, Catherine joined the NOW team in August for the World March of Women 2000. After an intense summer of organizing students to participate in the March, she then took a position as the Field Organizer–Lesbian Rights for the Action Center. While her position focuses mostly on lesbian rights, Catherine is a fierce advocate for equality in the arenas of race, class, gender, ethnicity and disability. Catherine’s future plans include valiant efforts to deconstruct the capitalistic, racially biased, heterosexist, patriarchal structure in which we live.

Leigha Creehan, PAC Assistant, Field Organizer- Reproductive Rights
Leigha’s position with NOW’s Political Action Committee consists of organizing, including fundraising, for NOW’s electoral efforts; documenting campaign finances and preparing reports for the Federal Election Commission. As a field organizer, she also works on reproductive rights issues, keeping NOW’s activists informed on current threats and legislation. Leigha began working for NOW in July 2000 after serving as an intern with NOW’s political director. She graduated with a degree in Gender Politics from Ohio University and is originally from the Cleveland area. She loves living in Washington, D.C., and would like one day to move to New York City.

Sarah Fox, Publications Manager
As the Publications Manager, Sarah is the managing editor of the National NOW Times and oversees publications made available to NOW members and potential members, including brochures and conference program books. Before coming to work at NOW, Sarah worked in grassroots lobbying and layout and design. When she is out of the NOW office, she is involved in D.C. professional theatre as a designer, and is a freelance graphic designer and writer. Sarah graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor’s in Theatre and Women’s Studies. “NOW just seemed the perfect fit. I’m living my dreams,” Sarah says.

Sarah Gilden, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Associate
Sarah joined the Action Center as a member of the fundraising team, working with donors to strengthen their relationship with NOW and integrate NOW into their estate plans. She also manages the Visionary Circle, assists in researching foundations and writing grant proposals, and coordinates the donor appreciation program. A former NOW intern, Sarah graduated in 1998 from Wesleyan University and moved to Northampton, Mass., to work as an assistant in the Major Gifts Department at Smith College. After a brief eight month stint in Boston, Sarah has come back to NOW, hoping to continue the work she began three years ago.

Dayna Kanary, Administrative Assistant
While serving as the administrative assistant to NOW’s Executive Vice President Kim Gandy and Action Vice President Loretta Kane, Dana is also responsible for handling outside requests for legal referrals and acknowledging NOW’s donors. Before moving to Washington, D.C., Dana was clerking for a bankruptcy judge in Pittsburgh. She worked at the NOW Store during the World March of Women 2000 before moving into her current position. Having organized for several feminist causes, Dana wanted to continue this work with NOW. In her spare time Dana enjoys yoga, skiing, and listening to the music of Tiny Tim.

Dana Robinson, Managing Web Editor
More women are working in the web industry now than ever before, and Dana is one of them. As NOW’s Managing Web Editor, Dana produces, coordinates and manages all of the content at www.now.org. She joined the team just before the brand new site design launched, a very exciting time for everyone who uses the Web. Dana’s been something of an Internet addict since the early 90s, so this job suits her quite nicely. She recently moved to Arlington, Va. from Iowa City, Iowa, where she majored in Journalism and Women’s Studies at the University of Iowa.