Meghan Gardner holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Denver, an M.A. in English from the University of Maine, and a B.A. in American Studies from Brandeis University. She has previously taught writing and literature at Husson University and the University of Maine, and is currently the Assistant Dean of Business at the Maine Business School and Graduate School of Business.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: Rebecca Slue (aka @WhiteWomanWhisperer)'s podcast is excellent. You can subscribe to her Patreon.

My name is Ré, and I'm a multifaceted leader working at the intersection of gender justice, arts, and community healing. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Maine Women's Lobby & Maine Women's Lobby Education Fund. I feel honored as the Lobby enters into the delicious work of culture building—centering the wellbeing of the staff, board, and volunteers who are the heart of MWL's work. I believe that building gender justice through legislative advocacy and systems change begins with nurturing the people who make this work possible. I also sit on the Leadership Council at Land in Common, a community land trust working to restore reciprocal relationships with the land and each other here on Wabanaki Territory.

As a Peacemaker, Philanthropist, Arts & Community Organizer, Designer, Embodied Equity Consultant, and survivor of trafficking and sexual violence, I center the healing arts as tools for transformation and liberation. My work creates pathways for survivors to reclaim their voices and experiences through creative expression and community art making.

Since 2014, I've led the Theater Ensemble of Color (TEoC), recognized throughout New England for outstanding original productions and educational outreach focused on creating joy-filled spaces for human trafficking and sexual violence survivors. My interactive one-woman show geel has been revolutionizing the arts scene on Wabanaki Territory and beyond, performed at venues from Congress Square Park to Colby College. The show weaves English and Afrikaans through dance, song, and brutal honesty that refuses to be silenced.

Embodied Equity Consulting is an organization that brings a fresh approach to social justice and racial equity training, focusing on being bold and honest about ignorance and blind spots rather than prioritizing comfort. The organization works to end white supremacy culture by centering the experiences, voices, and leadership of Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color and youth.

The work questions why white-led organizations flock to racial equity trainings yet continue using harmful practices. EEC emphasizes community-based outcomes and deep-rooted local agendas, connecting organizations intimately with community resources to change future outcomes.

Among my most significant works is "The Last Girl", a memory play written by the late Dianne "dee" Clarke, based on her personal experiences with sex trafficking and her advocacy work with her nonprofit Survivor Speak USA. The play tells Clarke's story of surviving trafficking as a child and adult, and in the final act, she uses her own story to become an advocate for other survivors. I commissioned this deeply important work and spent more than five years collaborating with Dee and Maya Williams ( Author and for Portland Poet Laureate) to bring it to life. The world premiere took place on October 20th, 2022, almost a year to the day Dee transitioned to the ancestral realm, with Portland Ovations presenting this staged reading as a powerful testament to survival and transformation.

Through my multidisciplinary approach, I continue to create transformative spaces where art, advocacy, and healing intersect, building more just and equitable communities for all. After years of dreaming, planning, and working toward this vision, Theater Ensemble of Color and Embodied Equity are building a sanctuary for healing called The Last Girl First House and Sanctuary, that will provide a safer and more inclusive space for survivors of trafficking to heal, connect with nature, and participate in sustainable life practices.

Mary is a proud Wellesley College alumna and holds a Master’s in Education from the University of New Hampshire — a foundation that reflects her lifelong commitment to equity, learning, and women's leadership. Education and public service has been a focus, having served on the Board of Education and Charter Committee in her hometown. She has worked in policy development, government, volunteer management and nonprofit leadership, most recently as Operations and Finance Manager for an arts non-profit. During her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and finding a few hours to hike the trails.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: “Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change” by Angela Garbes

Rachel Boynton holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maine, as well as a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta.

With over 10 years of experience in grants and contract management for nonprofits, Rachel has a passion for economic justice and security for all Maine families. She particularly enjoys the volunteer work she does with CA$H Maine, an organization dedicated to making sure families have access to the tax credits they qualify for.

In her spare time Rachel enjoys hiking, kayaking and spending far too much time in bookstores.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: “Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men,” by Caroline Criado-Perez

Katrina Ray-Saulis is a Maine writer, knitter and creator. She has a BFA in Creative Writing from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Stonecoast USM. Katrina works as a union organizer and teaches gender studies.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: “The Dovekeepers” by Alice Hoffman

Elisabeth is based at the Muskie School of Public Service, where she directs national evaluation efforts to measure the success of the Violence Against Women Act. She works closely with the federal Office on Violence Against Women and with organizations nationwide that provide critical services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence to increase their capacity for data-informed decision making.

Elisabeth started her career in anti-violence work in Maine as a sexual assault/domestic violence hotline advocate and a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) coordinator.

When she is not balancing work and parenting two of the best kids around, she is chatting about intentional community and anti-fascism with pals and playing mediocre but enthusiastic piano.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: Stone Blind, an extraordinary and beautiful and moving feminist re-telling of Medusa.

Favorite feminist read/watch listen: Maintenance Phase, a snappy, sharp podcast about diet culture; “Sucker Punch” by Scaatchi Koul, a wickedly funny and gutting series of essays about life falling apart and rebuilt during the pandemic

Nona is a Trust and Estate attorney based in Portland, assisting clients and their loved ones navigate various estate matters. While at the University of Maine School of Law, she was the recipient of the 2018 Diana DeJesus Student Bar Association Distinguished Service Award for her work on behalf of the student body, which included her role as Treasurer of the Women’s Law Association. In her spare time, Nona enjoys embracing both the summers and the winters in Maine, whether that’s skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain or boating around Casco Bay. Nona’s other interests include traveling, cuddling with her cat, and spending time with her nephew.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: Guys We F****d: The Anti Slut-Shaming Podcast

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Ann is a Senior Policy Advocate at Maine Equal Justice, where she works to increase economic security, opportunity, and equity for people in Maine. Prior to returning home to Maine, she worked in New York, most recently as Senior State Advocacy Manager with Community Catalyst’s Women’s Health Program, and before that as Advocacy and Policy Coordinator for the ACLU’s Advocacy and Policy Department. Ann is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work and served as an Advocacy and Social Work Fellow for the National Organization for Women (NOW) NYC chapter.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: “Milk Fed” by Melissa Broder

Dr. Paradis is an established leader in healthcare and policymaking. They provide low-barrier harm reduction treatment for opioid use disorder via telehealth. From 2017-2019 they served as the first queer and youngest mayor of Belfast, Maine. In the most meaningful time and space, you can find them being active in the Maine wilderness.

Favorite feminist read/watch/listen: Code Switch on NPR