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

Action Center Staff Profiles

  • Patrick Butler, Insurance Project Director
  • Twiss Butler, Equality and Reference Specialist
  • Barbara Hays, Chapter and State Development Director
  • Donna Hazley, Women's Health Project
  • AnitaMarie Murano, Intern and Volunteer Coordinator
  • Sommer Spector, National Action Center Administration
  • Sarah Stapleton-Gray, Internet Manager
  • Gabrielle Taylor, Marketing Specialist


    • by Lisa Bennett-Haigney, Publications Manager and Sevaun Palvetzian, Publications Intern

    This is the third in a series of articles profiling staff members at the National NOW Action Center.  We want you to get to know the people who process your membership renewals, answer the phone when you call, work with the chapters, organize actions and all the other things that help move the feminist movement.  And if you come to the National Conference in Miami June 30-July 2, you'll know what we look like!  Previous staff profiles can be found at www.now.org/actionct.html and there are still more to come in future issues.

    NOW Action Center staff members, clockwise from top left: AnitaMarie Murano, Sommer Spector, Pat Butler and Twiss Butler. Photos by Lisa Bennett-Haigney.

    Patrick Butler, Insurance Project Director

    As the leader of NOW's Insurance Project, Pat researches, writes and provides expert testimony on the economic harm done to women by legislators, regulators and insurance companies practicing sex discrimination.  Such discrimination, legal under the current system and especially prevalent in automobile insurance, promotes sexist stereotypes and is used to block equality for women.  Before joining the national staff to work on ERA ratification in 1981, Pat was active in chapter projects in Houston, where he was a research geochemist and the Curator of Lunar Samples for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.  Pat enjoys the cultural resources of Washington, D.C.

    Twiss Butler, Equality and Reference Specialist

    Twiss serves as a reference source for inquiries on sex discrimination in education and media.  Twiss comments that her work reminds her how the media and educational establishments shape the historical record and frame current issues in ways that misinform and exclude women. She is a long-standing NOW activist who donates her nearly full-time schedule at the Action Center.  Before joining the ERA campaign full time, Twiss was a NOW activist in Texas during the 1970s on projects to eliminate sexism from schools and textbooks under Title IX. Raising children and sailboat racing were chief occupations and now Twiss takes time for music and other interests.

    Barbara Hays, Chapter and State Development Director

    Barbara became a grassroots activist in 1975, served as Michigan NOW president 1984-86, and joined the NOW staff in 1986.  In 1989 she became NOW's Chapter and State Development Director, responsible for services to 51 state organizations and nearly 500 local chapters.  She conducts training, produces chapter organizing materials, and works with activists to build their chapter strength.  Barbara has a B.A. in Political Science and has done graduate work in political participation.  She lives with her partner in Silver Spring, Md., and enjoys gardening.  Family activities also include Barbara's two daughters and new grandson Carter.

    NOW Action Center staff members, clockwise from top left: Sarah Stapleton-Gray, Donna Hazley, Barbara Hays, Gabrielle Taylor.

    Donna Hazley, Women's Health Project

    In addition to her responsibilities as the Administrative Assistant to NOW's President Patricia Ireland and Action Vice President Elizabeth Toledo, Donna also works on women's health issues.  She coordinates NOW Foundation's Love Your Body Day and works to educate women about the dangers of tobacco and negative images in advertising, news and entertainment.  Donna is committed to fighting for the underdog, having experienced first-hand the destructiveness of racism, sexism and discrimination.  Donna grew up in Washington, D.C. and now lives in Hyattsville, Md., with her husband of 19 years and their two children, Keli and Lawrence Jr.

    AnitaMarie Murano, Intern and Volunteer Coordinator

    Anita is responsible for screening, hiring and supervising the interns at the National Action Center.  Anita also recruits and trains volunteers, and maintains general office details and equipment.  She is an avid traveler and enjoys receiving postcards from friends as they tour around the world.  Anita looks forward to furthering her education, with the goal of getting a PhD.  She would also like to share her knowledge of feminist activism by becoming involved in a women's organization in South America.  Until then, Anita is content to live in Washington, D.C., and continue her work with NOW.

    Sommer Spector, National Action Center Administration

    Sommer is the voice and front-door face of the Action Center, greeting all visitors and callers.  She also fulfills requests for general information about NOW and handles e-mail to now@now.org.  In addition to providing administrative support for the Action Center staff, Sommer contributes to the National NOW Times and to specific projects and campaigns.  Her background in grassroots activism has included working at a local rape crisis center, domestic violence shelter and two different women's centers.  Sommer's work for women's rights grew out of her basic values and political beliefs, and she credits feminism with inspiring her political activism.

    Sarah Stapleton-Gray, Internet Manager

    Sarah has been managing NOW's web site since the end of 1994; initially as a volunteer and the following year as a staff member.  She also manages NOW's internal network. Sarah has been involved in feminism since high school, worked on campaigns for Jerry Brown in California and became active in NOW in 1989 when she edited the newsletter for Ann Arbor-Washtenaw County NOW in Michigan. Sarah currently works three days a week at the National Action Center, allowing her to share child care responsibilities for her 1-year-old daughter, Kye, with her husband, Ross.

    Gabrielle Taylor, Marketing Specialist

    As a member of the Fundraising Team, Gabi is always looking for creative ways to raise money and spread the feminist message. She also writes copy for member recruitment letters—one of her favorite responsibilities. Gabi left the world of advertising to assume a full-time commitment to NOW and works ardently to advance the feminist cause, concerned that the world is still a dangerous place for women and girls. Her 7-year-old daughter Chloe, who is featured on the new "The Fight is Not Over" brochure, serves as both inspiration and reminder of why Gabi supports NOW's initiatives.

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