Deja Lynn Alvarez is an advocate, peer counselor and representative of the Philadelphia Trans community. She is currently a system navigator for the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Health and a Commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission of LGBT Affairs. She is one of the founding members of the Trans Wellness Program at Mazzoni Center, a co-founder and former facilitator of Sisterly Love, a trans support and skill-building program by and for transgender women and a former team member at the Trans Information Project of GALAEI.
Ms. Alvarez is also a consultant to the City of Philadelphia on trans issues including the Office of LGBT Affairs and the Philadelphia Police Department. She is a member on the Philadelphia Police Advisory Board, as well as a member of the Pennsylvania HIV planning committee and a Board Member of the William Way LGBTQ Community Center.
Ms. Alvarez has also served as a co-chair of the annual Trans March in Philadelphia and chair of the annual Trans Day Of Remembrance Memorial. She is a group facilitator at The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium’s Transformation Group and has facilitated groups at the Morris Home. She is the former executive director of the LGBTQ Home for Hope where she was able to get the first LGBTQ specific shelter / recovery program in the city up and running.
Ms. Alvarez was awarded the 2015 Jaci Adams award, from Philly Pride and the 2016 Person of the Year from the Philadelphia Gay News, among numerous other awards for her life’s work and dedication to trans and LGBT causes.
Amy Martin is a retired Executive Chef with over 20 years experience in the restaurant industry. Decades spent having to prove herself above and beyond her male counterparts has made her a fighter at heart. Having lived on both coasts (and a stint in Hawaii), she moved back to the Philly area in 1999, where she worked at Buddakan, Striped Bass, Fish Market, Fish on Main, Cafette and Philadelphia Fish & Company.
Amy decided it was time to take the next step and began a business plan to open her own restaurant. Not long after, she began experiencing strange sensations in her feet and legs that quickly became temporary paralysis; after her second episode, and an official diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, she was forced to retire from her life’s passion. Her fight would continue…
Several years later, she met the man she would marry; they moved to the suburbs of Philly and had two daughters. Her new career as “mama” began. In the background however, her entrepreneurial drive was still hoping for another opportunity. In January of 2015, Mama Beads & Baby Baubles LLC became official. Her “art for consumption” had become wearable instead. Creating her own business was a game-changer for Amy, a way to help contribute financially to her family and regain her feeling of self-worth.
In 2016, like many around her, Amy watched in disbelief as our political climate became increasingly unstable. Following the election, she felt compelled to do something to let her young daughters know that truth, kindness and compassion were still all qualities we should exude. So, taking a hard turn from her creative roots, she joined the team to help organize the Women's March on Philadelphia on January 21st, 2017. 55,000 people showed up to support the march and stand up for what they believe in. Amy has been involved in social activism for many years with her family’s non-profit, Rubye’s Kids Inc. that serves impoverished children in Philadelphia; she organized Philly Women Rally’s first event following the march; a “postcard social” with 200 attendees, local politicians and community organizers, organized a vigil/rally in her neighborhood following the events in Charlottesville, joined her local Democratic Committee as a voting member and was honored by the ARDC with the award for Outstanding Community Leader of 2017. She heads the committee for grassroots fundraising, community outreach, and is also a member of the logistics committee for the Women’s March on Philadelphia as well as the social media coordinator for Philly Women Rally a 501c4, created by several of the march organizers.
It is paramount for her daughters to see that even when one dream fades, another comes into focus, and you never give up!
Laura Arblaster is an outspoken, ambitious, and driven leader who has a passion for improving the education system, women’s rights, and the rights of refugees and immigrants.
At a young age, Laura realized how important it is to work hard against social injustices and help those in need. In 2012, she organized a toy drive to help the homeless at Trevor’s Place where hundreds of toys were collected each year, until the shelter closed in 2015.
Growing up as the daughter of a Cuban refugee, she recognizes that immigration is vital to the growth and success of our country, both socially and economically. As a founding Board Member of Philly Women Rally, she is leading the Programming Committee for the second year of the Women’s March on Philadelphia.
Laura has spent her entire career in education, from teaching middle school as well as bedside in the cardiac unit at CHOP to working with districts and government offices (both state and federal) to establish a college and career readiness culture. Her home, however; is in the higher education publishing industry. She spent many years working with colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area, assisting professors build their courses.
When Laura and her husband had their daughter in 2014, she took several months off to enjoy motherhood and returned to the publishing industry as a freelancer on a national level. With the flexibility of freelancing, she is able to take on interesting and exciting projects that directly impact the development of new course material and in turn, new courses in higher education.
Laura strives to be a player, not a spectator in life and hopes by example, her daughter will be a conduit for kindness and compassion to make this world a better place and help her fellow brothers and sisters.
Nikki Bagby, Board of Directors, Secretary, Planning Committee PR Representative and Community Outreach
Nikki Bagby is a proud wife and mother of six. She was born and still resides in Philadelphia, PA. Her current role is Marketing Manager for a large Managed Care Organization which specializes in Healthcare access for our most vulnerable populations. She also the CEO and Founder of “A Humbled Heart, Inc.” Nikki also has expertise in Community Development which includes economic development, housing development, small business development, social service delivery, community engagement, special event coordination, event planning etc. She has also appeared on several television news and Radio broadcast stations and to speak as an advocate and panelist for several community and health related events and seminars.
Nikki is a Certified Youth Abstinence Counselor, a licensed Missionary and has been awarded many honors for her extensive community service. She is very passionate about community advocacy and has served on several boards throughout her career. She is currently a board member of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Community Advisory Board and the Black Women’s Leadership Council of Philadelphia. She has previously served as a board member for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Faith in God Family Restoration Corporation, UnitedHealthcare of PA, UnitedHealthcare Southeastern PA Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, Philadelphia City wide NAC Alliance, Nicetown Weed and Seed, The Philadelphia Mural Arts Advisory Committee, and Nicetown Community Development/NAC. She has been a Parent Liaison for the Philadelphia School District’s School Improvement Team and held office as a Home and School President for over five consecutive years.
In her business and personal life she is very passionate about helping others. Her goal is to bridge gaps by being a resource to those she serves; especially those who are underserved, under-exposed, disenfranchised.
Bridget Gill, Board of Directors, Planning Committee
Volunteer Coordinator and Student Outreach
the 2016 election results signaled that sitting on the
sidelines was no longer an option. Women’s rights
are human rights and society’s injustices will not
diminish on their own. Bridget knew she needed to model that for her son
Nikki is a Certified Youth Abstinence Counselor, a licensed Missionary and has been awarded many honors for her extensive community service. She is very passionate about community advocacy and has served on several boards throughout her career. She is currently a board member of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Community Advisory Board and the Black Women’s Leadership Council of Philadelphia. She has previously served as a board member for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Faith in God Family Restoration Corporation, UnitedHealthcare of PA, UnitedHealthcare Southeastern PA Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, Philadelphia City wide NAC Alliance, Nicetown Weed and Seed, The Philadelphia Mural Arts Advisory Committee, and Nicetown Community Development/NAC. She has been a Parent Liaison for the Philadelphia School District’s School Improvement Team and held office as a Home and School President for over five consecutive years.
In her business and personal life she is very passionate about helping others. Her goal is to bridge gaps by being a resource to those she serves; especially those who are underserved, under-exposed, disenfranchised.
Bridget Gill, Board of Directors, Planning Committee
Volunteer Coordinator and Student Outreach
Bridget
Gill is an advocate for women’s rights and a
vocal
supporter of healthcare rights for
all. Though activism
has always been an interest,the 2016 election results signaled that sitting on the
sidelines was no longer an option. Women’s rights
are human rights and society’s injustices will not
diminish on their own. Bridget knew she needed to model that for her son
and
daughter. She began to volunteer with the Women’s March
on Philadelphia
from its inception in 2017. For
the past two years, she was asked to play
a larger role
in day-of logistics and planning.
This year, she is thrilled
and honored to take a more comprehensive role as a
member of the executive board. Bridget
currently works an Academic Program
Administrator
at Drexel University. Through her 15 year career
in Higher
Education, she has witnessed the urgent need
for improvements in the areas
of college access and student
mental health. As a board member, she hopes to
serve
as a conduit to the many colleges in the Philadelphia area
in order to raise
awareness on women’s issues and engage
the younger generation, especially
during the critical
voting year.
Vicki Landers, Planning Committee Accessibility
Specialist and Corporate Fundraising Liaison
Specialist and Corporate Fundraising Liaison
Vicki Landers is a CEO and President of Disability
Pride Philadelphia Inc. (DPP Inc.), and owner
of
Vixeycat Event Planning with over 20 years’
experience in management, finances,
and customer
service. Prior to DPP Inc., Vicki spent 5 years as
an
owner/operator of Independence EDGE Studio.
EDGE was an accessible artist studio with the
emphasis
on people with disabilities.
Through DPP Inc. Vicki found her passion. DPP Inc.
hosts FUN, accessible,
inclusive events. Vicki offers her skills in fundraising, event planning, networking,
finance, and management to help DPP Inc. spread Disability Pride.
inclusive events. Vicki offers her skills in fundraising, event planning, networking,
finance, and management to help DPP Inc. spread Disability Pride.
Vicki is no stranger to social barriers. She
spent years with Bipolar and
Anxiety Disorder, and a learning
disability. Vicki now lives with an ever
growing list of
disabilities and she advocates for civil rights for disabled
people,
Medicare for all, and other important issues surrounding
disabled
people.
Serita Lewis, Planning Committee Community
Outreach Specialist
Serita Lewis is a mother of two, a youth advocate,
community activist, entrepreneur and Democratic
Committee Person of the 44th Ward!
After 19 years, she left her career at the Wharton School
and founded Philadelphia Legacy Development
(DBA UrbnSEEK); a firm that combines her passions;
Education, Social Impact, Diversity, and Fun; to positively
impact the community. Working with local non-profits,
community groups, and businesses, Serita creates events
and activities to educate and bring awareness to issues
impacting marginalized people in her city and around the world.
Ms. Lewis stepped fully into her role as an activist in February of 2018
when she and a small group of concerned citizens heeded the call to
action and founded March for Our Lives Philadelphia (MFOLPhilly). The
intent was to bring awareness to the epidemic of Gun Violence plaguing
our city and help the most vulnerable citizens - our children - amplify
their voices and demand immediate change. The world responded,
marching in step with our youth on March 24. For their first year,
Serita worked alongside the youth helping to define the mission of the
organization and supporting the students in developing their voices as
both community and civic leaders.
Serita remains committed to making a positive impact in Philadelphia.
She does this through her continued involvement with non-profit and
community organizations across the city such as:
Global Citizen, CeaseFire PA, Mom’s Bonded By Grief, The Mural Arts Program,
Read by 4th, and Drexel University to name a few.
Serita proudly uses her voice to champion important societal issues such
as gun violence, generational poverty, homelessness, food insecurity,
human trafficking, and youth trauma. It is her honor to join the
Women’s March on Philadelphia” 2020 Planning Committee and ring in the
Year of the Woman!!