CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FALL 2019
BETTER WYOMING GRASSROOTS INSTITUTE GRADUATING CLASS!
The Fall 2019 Grassroots Institute involved ten fellows from across the state. Each completed the eight-week course, which included weekly readings, discussions, and guest lectures. They worked in teams to create actionable advocacy campaign plans as final projects, which you’ll hear more about soon!
The Fall 2019 Grassroots Institute involved ten fellows from across the state. Each completed the eight-week course, which included weekly readings, discussions, and guest lectures. They worked in teams to create actionable advocacy campaign plans as final projects, which you’ll hear more about soon!
Linda Barton has 20 years of leadership experience in education and civil service. She is the founder and former director of the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance Wyoming Afterschool Alliance, and she has served on the Fremont County School District #1 board of trustees (2014 – 18) as well as on the Lander City Council (2004 – 2012). Linda’s interests include juvenile justice, education, and social and emotional learning. She has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Northridge, and a Master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.
Linda Barton has 20 years of leadership experience in education and civil service. She is the founder and former director of the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance Wyoming Afterschool Alliance, and she has served on the Fremont County School District #1 board of trustees (2014 – 18) as well as on the Lander City Council (2004 – 2012). Linda’s interests include juvenile justice, education, and social and emotional learning. She has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Northridge, and a Master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.
Jordan Bishop is a fifth-generation Wyomingite, educator, and activist from Laramie. His background in religious studies and education led him to work in the United Arab Emirates as a social studies teacher for two years. As the recently appointed executive director of the Wyoming Interfaith Network, Jordan seeks to bring together Wyoming’s diverse religious communities for the common good.
Jordan Bishop is a fifth-generation Wyomingite, educator, and activist from Laramie. His background in religious studies and education led him to work in the United Arab Emirates as a social studies teacher for two years. As the recently appointed executive director of the Wyoming Interfaith Network, Jordan seeks to bring together Wyoming’s diverse religious communities for the common good.
Brianna Casey is originally from Casper and lives in Laramie, where she is an academic advisor at the University of Wyoming and sits on the UW Staff Senate. Brianna is a passionate advocate for voting and a former volunteer for Forward Wyoming’s #WY We Vote youth voter mobilization campaign. She is deeply interested in local politics, loves Wyoming’s wide open public lands, and spends much of her free time making art.
Brianna Casey is originally from Casper and lives in Laramie, where she is an academic advisor at the University of Wyoming and sits on the UW Staff Senate. Brianna is a passionate advocate for voting and a former volunteer for Forward Wyoming’s #WY We Vote youth voter mobilization campaign. She is deeply interested in local politics, loves Wyoming’s wide open public lands, and spends much of her free time making art.
Sofia Deabreu is the Executive Director of Flip Wyoming, a project under Wyoming Progress that aims to raise awareness of Wyoming’s national electoral power. She also fundraises for the Wyoming Democratic Party. As an advocate for progressive politics, Sofia looks forward to leveraging the leadership skills and networks made through the Grassroots Institute for her organizing work
Sofia Deabreu is the Executive Director of Flip Wyoming, a project under Wyoming Progress that aims to raise awareness of Wyoming’s national electoral power. She also fundraises for the Wyoming Democratic Party. As an advocate for progressive politics, Sofia looks forward to leveraging the leadership skills and networks made through the Grassroots Institute for her organizing work
Michelle Escudero is a Lander community organizer. She is working on a city ordinance to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing, and accommodations, and she is helping to develop the Community Climate Action Series, which provides education about concrete steps people can take collectively in response to climate change. Michelle currently sits on the Fremont County School District #1 board of trustees.
Michelle Escudero is a Lander community organizer. She is working on a city ordinance to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing, and accommodations, and she is helping to develop the Community Climate Action Series, which provides education about concrete steps people can take collectively in response to climate change. Michelle currently sits on the Fremont County School District #1 board of trustees.
Katie Holmes lives Jackson with her husband and two boys. When she’s not chasing all three of them around the mountains or hockey rink, she is the Wyoming Community and Donor Relations Officer for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. She has worked locally in Teton County with the Period Project to get free tampons and pads in locations around the community for those who need them, and she advocates for comprehensive sex education and better reproductive rights across our state.
Katie Holmes lives Jackson with her husband and two boys. When she’s not chasing all three of them around the mountains or hockey rink, she is the Wyoming Community and Donor Relations Officer for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. She has worked locally in Teton County with the Period Project to get free tampons and pads in locations around the community for those who need them, and she advocates for comprehensive sex education and better reproductive rights across our state.
Marcie Kindred lives in Cheyenne, where she’s a licensed realtor, church choir director, and a seasoned civilian advocate—she has provided public testimony before the Wyoming Legislataure’s Revenue Committee on issues such a mineral tax dependency, Medicaid expansion, and corporate income tax. She also hopes to join the Legislature’s ranks—she’s currently a candidate for Wyoming State House District 8
Marcie Kindred lives in Cheyenne, where she’s a licensed realtor, church choir director, and a seasoned civilian advocate—she has provided public testimony before the Wyoming Legislataure’s Revenue Committee on issues such a mineral tax dependency, Medicaid expansion, and corporate income tax. She also hopes to join the Legislature’s ranks—she’s currently a candidate for Wyoming State House District 8
Jaxon Porterfield is an undergraduate at the University of Wyoming double majoring in political science and statistics, while competing on the university’s speech and debate team. He is an intern for the Wyoming Equal Rights Coalition (WERC), co-founder of the Wyoming Inclusivity Network, and an active campus advocate. Jaxon is interested in developing intersectional sexual education, encouraging sensible drug perceptions and policy, and encouraging increased voter turnout and civic engagement.
Jaxon Porterfield is an undergraduate at the University of Wyoming double majoring in political science and statistics, while competing on the university’s speech and debate team. He is an intern for the Wyoming Equal Rights Coalition (WERC), co-founder of the Wyoming Inclusivity Network, and an active campus advocate. Jaxon is interested in developing intersectional sexual education, encouraging sensible drug perceptions and policy, and encouraging increased voter turnout and civic engagement.
Riley Skorcz is a freshman at the University of Wyoming who is a passionate advocate for public education, LGBTQ+ equality, feminism, civic involvement, and the outdoors. A former intern at the Wyoming Legislature, Riley’s most recent accomplishments include being the first woman from Rock Springs High School to compete at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Policy Debate and being awarded the 2018 Young Democrats of WY High School Organizer of the Year award. Riley plans on helping others find their voice by becoming a speech-language pathologist.
Riley Skorcz is a freshman at the University of Wyoming who is a passionate advocate for public education, LGBTQ+ equality, feminism, civic involvement, and the outdoors. A former intern at the Wyoming Legislature, Riley’s most recent accomplishments include being the first woman from Rock Springs High School to compete at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Policy Debate and being awarded the 2018 Young Democrats of WY High School Organizer of the Year award. Riley plans on helping others find their voice by becoming a speech-language pathologist.
Matt Stech lives in Jackson and earned his Master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wyoming. He’s been an LGBTQ+ advocate for 11 years and continues to work on policy advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Currently, Matt is researching how healthcare professionals can provide better care for LGBTQ+ individuals in Wyoming. He’s an avid outdoorsperson and enjoys exploring Western Wyoming through all seasons.
Matt Stech lives in Jackson and earned his Master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wyoming. He’s been an LGBTQ+ advocate for 11 years and continues to work on policy advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Currently, Matt is researching how healthcare professionals can provide better care for LGBTQ+ individuals in Wyoming. He’s an avid outdoorsperson and enjoys exploring Western Wyoming through all seasons.