INTRODUCING OUR NEW BOARD CHAIR
We are excited to announce Stephanie Thorpe as the newly-elected Board Chair of Children Alliance! We would like to thank Sarah Alexander, who served as Board Chair for the past two years and will continue working with us as a member of the Board.
To welcome Stephanie to her new role we asked her a few questions about her connection to Children’s Alliance and our mission:
Stephanie Thorpe, Board Chair
Why did you first get involved with Children’s Alliance?
In my career I’ve spent a lot of time working alongside communities of color and immigrant communities, particularly in providing support for navigating our legal system. I was looking for a way to expand on that experience and get involved in legislative advocacy, with a clear focus on racial equity. A friend of mine told me about Children’s Alliance and, when I found out more about the organization, I knew it would be a great fit for me. I was really interested in how Children’s Alliance works for children and families on so many intersecting issues, while also centering the needs of kids furthest from opportunity.
What connects you to Children’s Alliance’s mission?
From when I was a very young child growing up in California, I was aware of the inequities in so many of our systems. My grandfather worked as a lobbyist for education and he was very much a mentor for me. His work gave me an early insight into the barriers many kids face in getting the high-quality education they deserve. Similarly, I learned about some of the inequalities in our healthcare system through my mom’s job as an emergency room nurse.
The work I saw my family members doing had a huge influence on me and led me to my career in immigration law as well as my advocacy work with Children’s Alliance. In both of these spaces I am continually aware of the importance of listening to impacted communities. That’s the part of Children’s Alliance’s mission that really resonates with me, that we advocate with and not for community, because those facing barriers know best what they need to knock them down.
What has been a highlight for you in your work with Children’s Alliance?
Our legislative advocacy day in Olympia, Have a Heart for Kids Day, has always been one of my favorite events and I was so excited to see it return in-person this year. It is such a fun day filled with great energy and it’s a real opportunity to connect with other advocates and see our work in action. A lot of our work as Board members is done behind the scenes, so I cherish the opportunity to be out in community and witness our collective power.
What do you like to do for fun?
Relaxing with family (including the dog) and friends over a delicious meal or a movie. I also love reading. I usually have about 3-4 books started at any given time, but as a working mom of two I’m quite busy and it often takes me a while to finish them!