Graduates of WILD Create Progressive Ripple Effects

We wrapped up our WILD (Western Institute for Organizing and Leadership Development) class of 2009 - 2010 with a graduation ceremony, dinner and karaoke performances at the end of February. But we all know that the work doesn’t stop there! Our grads are already back in their communities, putting WILD skills into action making change.

Here is what two WILD graduates, Tiffany McClain of Alaska and Maria Moreno of Idaho, have been up to:

Tiffany McClain is the LGBT Public Policy Coordinator for the ACLU of Alaska. In 2009, her work heated up in a big way as the Anchorage city council prepared to vote on a proposed non-discrimination ordinance that would extend job and housing protections to LGBT Alaskans. Tiffany was on the streets and in the news, building support for LGBT equality. The city council voted 7-4 in favor of the ordinance! Unfortunately, the new Anchorage mayor vetoed it.

Like any good organizer, Tiffany knows that win or lose, the work continues. The ACLU of Alaska recently released their LGBT Community Survey results, giving a voice to LGBT Alaskans. Tiffany says, “I implemented what I learned about base-building and cultivating leadership, and am also more disciplined about following up with new contacts. Currently I'm working with the same group of young volunteers to organize events throughout the summer. They’re going to call it the Summer of Love!” Support for LGBT equality in Alaska is growing day by day, thanks to the efforts of WILD grad Tiffany McClain and others!

Maria Moreno is a board member and active volunteer leader with Mujeres Unidas de Idaho, Idaho’s Hispanic Women’s organization based in Boise. Mujeres is an all-volunteer organization that depends on leaders like Maria. In the past year, Maria has identified ways to build and expand Mujeres' membership structure, and has put her training at WILD to use in volunteer engagement and management.

In addition to a growing membership, Maria and Mujeres are aiming to bring comprehensive and culturally-responsive sex education to a local school district (Wilder) that is 95% Latino. Mujeres, also a cohort member of the Center’s Groundwork program, brought a reproductive justice analysis to the experiences of Latin@ youth and parents. Maria has set lofty goals for her work and for Mujeres' campaign, but with her experience, dedication, and skills, we are excited to watch her meet and exceed these goals in the coming year!