Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (MIRA)
Policy/Research Director
Lead Organizer
1997
2000
Merrimack Valley Project
Organizer
2000
2005
Northeast Action
other
2006
2007
Southern New Hampshire University
Coach / Consultant
Trainer
2007
2009
New Hampshire Community Loan Fund
Trainer
Organizer Profile
My drive for justice and my organizing instincts were already there, but they really took shape when I joined the Rev. Roy Bourgeois and a small group of people at a 48-hour fast and vigil outside the gates of Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. This was in 1983, at the very start of the campaign to close the School of the Americas. I was energized by acting on my own convictions and humbled by the dedication of the people around me. I also realized that, while we received scant media coverage for our event, we were having an impact by talking with and LISTENING TO the ordinary people who came by.
* Remember to do more listening and less talking.
* The big talkers are almost never the best leaders.
* Organizing across class lines and ethnic lines is incredibly difficult. We must build in lots of time for process and limit our expectations of how quickly we can accomplish our goals.
*Robert Moses -- with his quiet, intense, but behind-the-scenes style during the civil rights movement in Mississippi
*Sen. Paul Wellstone -- with his fiery passion, unshakable commitment and love of people.
*All the people whom I have met -- who make sacrifices and take on new challenges every day for the betterment of their families and the world
The civil rights movement -- especially the lesser-known voting rights struggles in Mississippi and the role of ordinary people in making change.
A significant accomplishment was pushing back against the assault on immigrants in 1997, in the wake of the Republican-led "Contract with America."
When Congress said that legally present immigrants should not receive Food Stamps, Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, we said, "Enough!" In Massachusetts, we were able to mobilize immigrants for a massive response. For many participants, this was their first time engaging in civic activity in the U.S. Our efforts led to the approval of state-funded benefits to immigrants (overcoming the resistance of the House Speaker) and clear guidelines to ensure that immigrants could obtain health services at local clinics and emergency rooms.
Who has mentored, coached, or consulted with you in your organizing career?
Person
Organization
Bradley, Alexa
Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action
Breen, Rachel
Minnesota Jobs with Peace
Duncan, Mel
Minnesota Jobs with Peace
Galdston, Ken
Merrimack Valley Project
Glass, Becky
---
Healy, Richard
Grassroots Policy Project
LeBlanc, Daniel
Merrimack Valley Project
Mann, Dave
Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action
Ristau, Julie
---
Ross, Deb
Public Campaign
Janet Groat 's Peers
Which of your peers influenced your development as an organizer?
Person
Organization
Adams, Russell
All Parks Alliance for Change
Bates, Kelly
Access Strategies Fund
Bradley, Alexa
Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action
Cann, Elyse
Pioneer Valley Project
Clark, Mike
Merrimack Valley Project
Miley, Margaret
Coalition for a Better Acre
Rose, Fred
Pioneer Valley Project
Winkelman, Lee
Coalition for a Better Acre
Janet Groat 's Trainees
Whom have you developed or trained as an organizer? (Please list people who have stayed in the field or a related field for at least three years.)
Person
Organization
Peterson, Sacha
Minnesota Jobs with Peace
Roun, Sally
Merrimack Valley Project
Janet Groat 's Coachees
Who did you mentor, coach, or consult with you in your organizing career? (Please list people who have stayed in the field or a related field for at least 3 years.)
