2009 NOW National Conference: Conference Speakers

National NOW Conference: 2009

Conference Speakers

Jennifer Brunner

Jennifer Brunner has had an exceptional career as a defender of fair elections. She became Ohio's first female secretary of state when she replaced Ken Blackwell (notorious for the Ohio election scandals during the 2004 presidential elections). Brunner's accomplishments propelled her to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican George Voinovich in 2010. Previously, Brunner served as legislative counsel for the Secretary of State's Office, a judge for the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, a member of the Franklin County Board of Elections, special prosecutor for election fraud, and a private-practice lawyer.

Born in Springfield, Ohio, Brunner received a B.A. in sociology-gerontology from Miami University and a J.D. from Capital University Law School. Brunner chose a career in public service, working in the Ohio Secretary of State's Office to improve openness and accountability in campaign finance and election law. After starting her own successful private practice, Brunner was elected and reelected to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court. In 2006, she was elected secretary of state. Her work on reforming Ohio's election system earned her a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in 2008.

Brunner has dedicated her career to ensuring citizens' voting rights, having taken the fight to the Ohio legislature, the Supreme Court-and now hopefully the U.S. Senate.

Barbara Ehrenreich

A passionate advocate for women and the working class, Barbara Ehrenreich is a renowned journalist, author and activist. Her bestselling book "Nickel and Dimed" -- an account of her undercover year working minimum-wage jobs -- won the Sydney Hillman Award for Journalism and was one of the most talked-about books of 2001. She has authored 19 non-fiction books, one novel and countless essays.

Ehrenreich grew up in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and everywhere in between. She obtained a bachelor's degree in physics from Reed University and a Ph.D. in cell biology from Rockefeller University, and has since received six honorary degrees and earned myriad grants and awards.

As an advocate for social justice, Ehrenreich has protested U.S. involvement in Vietnam, called for better health care for the urban poor, joined picket lines and marched for a living wage. As a writer for the women's health movement, Ehrenreich found inspiration and success combining her passions with her pen.

Ehrenreich has written essays, opinion pieces and blogs for publications such as Time, Harpers, Ms. Magazine, Mother Jones and The New York Times. Her books cover a wide range of topics that pique her interest, including: "Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy," " Re-Making Love: The Feminization of Sex" and "Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers."

Lulu Flores

Maria Luisa 'Lulu' Flores

Maria Luisa "Lulu" Flores is the national President of the National Women's Political Caucus, an organization co-founded by Betty Friedan and other NOW leaders which works to increase the number of women in elected office. An attorney with HendlerLaw in Austin, Texas, Flores represents people who have been victimized by corporate misconduct.

Flores grew up in Laredo, Texas, the youngest of nine children. While attending the University of Texas School of Law, Flores became chief of staff for Rep. Irma Rangel, the first Hispanic woman elected to the Texas Legislature.

Flores currently serves as legislative coordinator for the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas and vice president of public affairs at the MexicArte Museum.

She formerly worked for the Railroad Commission of Texas, serving as assistant director for intergovernmental affairs (1996-2001) and assistant director for the Alternative Fuels Division (1992-1996). From 1986-1991, Flores was director for governmental affairs for the State Bar of Texas. She is past president of the Texas Political Caucus, and was on the Women's Advocacy Board for 10 years, serving two terms as chair.

Having run for public office herself, Flores helped found the Texas Hispanic Women's PAC, which raised money for Hispanic pro-choice women candidates for elective and appointed office. Flores is very involved with Hispanic community outreach programs through the Hispanic Bar Association.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is the president of Bennett College for Women in North Carolina. An economist, author and commentator, Malveaux has contributed to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture and gender, and their economic impacts.

A native San Franciscan, Malveaux received bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Boston College, and her Ph.D. in economics from MIT. She holds honorary degrees from four colleges and universities, has been on the faculty or visiting faculty of six, and lectured at more than 500.

Malveaux's popular writing has appeared in USA Today, Ms. Magazine, Essence Magazine, and the Progressive. Her academic work is included in numerous anthologies and journals. She has edited three publications on issues important to African-American women, authored two column anthologies, and co-authored the book "Unfinished Business: A Democrat and A Republican Take on the 10 Most Important Issues Women Face." She has hosted television and radio programs and appeared regularly as a commentator on national TV.

A committed activist and civic leader, Malveaux has held positions in women's, civil rights, and policy organizations, including four years as president of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs. She currently serves on the boards of three organizations. Malveaux is also the founder of Last Word Productions, a multimedia production company.

Hon. Gwen Moore

A passionate advocate for low-income women (and men), Gwendolynne Moore was sworn in as representative of Wisconsin's Fourth District in January 2005. She also serves as the vice-chair of the Women's Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives. Moore was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1989-92, and the State Senate from 1993-2003.

Moore's compelling personal story of living on welfare informs her advocacy. Born in Wisconsin in 1951, Moore was elected student council president in high school. When she started college at Marquette University, she faced challenges as an expectant mother receiving welfare. After receiving a B.A. in Political Science, Moore went on to become a community leader, earning the national "VISTA Volunteer of the Decade" award. In 2000, Moore earned a Harvard University Certificate for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

In the U.S. Congress, Moore has served on the House Committees on Small Business, Financial Services, and Budget. Additionally, Moore has been a delegate to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, as well as a member of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank to strengthen accountability and transparency.

Moore champions legislation to promote progressive social issues and foster economic prosperity, one of the major frontiers in the fight for civil rights.

Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale

An Episcopal priest and open lesbian, the Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale was named president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School in March of this year. At the time of her unanimous election to the post, Ragsdale was serving as president and executive director of Political Research Associates, a progressive think tank, and vicar of St. David's Episcopal Church in Pepperell, Mass.

Ragsdale is a dedicated women's rights advocate who served for served for 17 years (eight as chair) on the national board of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. She also serves on the board of NARAL: Pro-Choice America and The White House Project, as well as the bi-national advisory board of the FaithTrust Institute.

Ragsdale holds a doctor of ministry degree from Episcopal Divinity School, a master of divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a bachelor of arts degree from William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia.

She has testified before the United States Congress as well as numerous state legislatures, and is a widely sought speaker on public policy issues affecting women, professional ethics, and LGBTQ rights. She is the editor of the book Boundary Wars: Intimacy and Distance in Healing Relationships and the author of numerous articles, including "The Role of Religious Institutions in Responding to the Domestic Violence Crisis."

Donna Smith
Woman of Action Honoree

Donna Smith helped draw attention to the troubled U.S. health care system when she appeared in Michael Moore's 2007 movie, "SiCKO." Despite being insured, Smith and her husband were forced to move into their daughter's basement after suffering major illnesses and losing everything to outrageous medical costs. A uterine cancer survivor, Donna traveled to Cuba with Moore to compare the country’s national health care system with her experiences in the U.S.

Since then, Smith has campaigned in 41 states and D.C. in support of single-payer health care reform as co-chair of the Progressive Democrats of America's "Healthcare Not Warfare" campaign. Smith also founded American Patients United, a non-profit group dedicated to raising awareness about national health care and works as a community organizer for the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee.

A graduate of Colorado College, Smith's journalism career includes work with NEWSWEEK magazine. She has been honored by the Associated Press Managing Editors, and also received the Inland Press Association’s top honor in 2006 for community-based journalism.

Smith continues an active writing and speaking career, blogging and writing op-eds about the health care crisis. This May Donna spoke about the issue on PBS' Bill Moyers' Journal.

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