Mónica Ramírez hails from a farmworker family that settled out of the migrant stream to live year-round in rural Ohio. She is a long-time advocate, organizer, social entrepreneur and attorney fighting to eliminate gender-based violence and secure gender equity. For over two decades, she has fought for the civil and human rights of women,
Mónica Ramírez hails from a farmworker family that settled out of the migrant stream to live year-round in rural Ohio. She is a long-time advocate, organizer, social entrepreneur and attorney fighting to eliminate gender-based violence and secure gender equity. For over two decades, she has fought for the civil and human rights of women, children, workers, Latinos/as and immigrants.
In 2003, Mónica created the first legal project in the United States dedicated to addressing gender discrimination against farmworker women, which she scaled to create Esperanza: The Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In addition to founding Justice for Migrant Women, she co-founded Alianza Nacional de Campesinos and served President of their Board until 2018. In her capacity as Alianza's Board President, Mónica wrote the letter that was published in TIME magazine from farmworker women to women in the entertainment industry. It has been credited with helping to spark the creation of the TIME’S UP movement.
Mónica is recognized as a thought leader and prominent voice in the Latinx community. She has been awarded numerous awards for her work, including Harvard Kennedy School’s inaugural Gender Equity Changemaker Award, 2022 James Beard Leadership award, the Feminist Majority’s Global Women’s Rights Award, and inclusion on Forbes Mexico's 2018 list of 100 Powerful Women, among other distinctions.
Mónica is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, The Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law and Harvard Kennedy School.
Follow her @MonicaRamirezOH on X (Twitter) and @activistmonicaramirez on Instagram.
Angela (Angie) was born and raised in Fremont, Ohio, and learned at an early age the importance of helping others. Stemming from a family of farmworkers, Angie understood the conditions many migrant farmworkers had to endure and began working every summer at the non-profit ABLE (Advocates for Basic Legal Equality) serving agricultural wor
Angela (Angie) was born and raised in Fremont, Ohio, and learned at an early age the importance of helping others. Stemming from a family of farmworkers, Angie understood the conditions many migrant farmworkers had to endure and began working every summer at the non-profit ABLE (Advocates for Basic Legal Equality) serving agricultural workers and immigrant families by addressing unfair or discriminatory employment practices and civil rights violations, including racial, and ethnic profiling.
Throughout the course of Angie's career in HR Operations and People Relations, she has recognized the value and importance of partnering with her leadership teams to ensure the voice of the employee is not forgotten. Her advocacy has been continually recognized by her client groups and she is often told, "you really take the time to understand the work we do and listen to what we need which makes our work life better." As she progressed in her career, her determination to remain a Trusted Advisor and Strategic Leader helped cultivate a culture of meeting the companies' objectives and the needs of their most valuable assets - the people.
In addition to her HR Leadership roles, Angie is a mother to a young woman named Anaiyah, who she says is “wonderfully gifted and beautiful.” Angie currently lives in Georgia and has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Toledo.
Argelia (she/her) is from Chicago and a proud descendant of migrant workers from Mexico. Argelia has a deep desire to make an impact in the food justice space which led her to join the team at Justice for Migrant Women.
Professionally, Argelia brings 20+ years of experience in communications planning, organizational strategy, and divers
Argelia (she/her) is from Chicago and a proud descendant of migrant workers from Mexico. Argelia has a deep desire to make an impact in the food justice space which led her to join the team at Justice for Migrant Women.
Professionally, Argelia brings 20+ years of experience in communications planning, organizational strategy, and diverse audience engagement. She finds joy in collaborating with teams to be brand architects and execute advertising tactics. Argelia has experience developing SOPS for marketing operations and using tech tools to make more time for creativity.
As a proud first-gen professional, she is dedicated to creating spaces for BIPOC communities to thrive and mentoring college students. Argelia earned her master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern’s Medill School of Communication and her Bachelor’s degree at DePaul University. She enjoys nature walks with her dog Canela and spending time with family. Her favorite mantra is by Chicagoan Melissa DuPrey, “ I am rooted in culture with an eye towards sustainability.”
Vanessa Moreno (she/her) is from Puebla, Mexico and happy to call New York home. Her personal experience as a former undocumented immigrant and desire to advance the organization’s mission led her to Justice for Migrant Women.
Vanessa is a seasoned producer with over 20+ years of experience bringing to life complex concepts and ideas in s
Vanessa Moreno (she/her) is from Puebla, Mexico and happy to call New York home. Her personal experience as a former undocumented immigrant and desire to advance the organization’s mission led her to Justice for Migrant Women.
Vanessa is a seasoned producer with over 20+ years of experience bringing to life complex concepts and ideas in spaces where she was often the only Latina in the room. Her unique skills as a Showrunner, Director and Producer is a valuable asset when it comes to creating impactful and memorable content and experiences. Vanessa has worked with a wide range of people and personalities in the food, media, music and fashion spaces. She’s developed and nurtured the talent of countless folks in front of and behind the camera while creating long lasting work relationships.
Vanessa is proud of her Mexican-Honduran heritage. When she’s not working, she is spending time with her family and her goldendoodle Charlie.
Gloria Altamirano's (she/her) migrant life dates back to her grandparents who migrated from Texas to Michigan and Ohio. In these camps is where her mother and father met, married, and settled out in Fremont, Ohio. Her family would go to Mexico often to visit and this is where she was humbled by the way they lived but still were able to pr
Gloria Altamirano's (she/her) migrant life dates back to her grandparents who migrated from Texas to Michigan and Ohio. In these camps is where her mother and father met, married, and settled out in Fremont, Ohio. Her family would go to Mexico often to visit and this is where she was humbled by the way they lived but still were able to provide a living for their family. During her high school years she was bullied and called wetback, tomato picker, and other names. Gloria knew that she would make it her life's mission to ensure no one else would go through what she did.
This personal experience motivated Gloria's professional journey. Her first job was at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) in their migrant program. Then she went to work at Sandusky County Job and Family Services to service migrant families. These experiences and a conversation with a friend led Gloria to Ohio Migrant Education Center (OMEC). At OMEC, she worked as a Project Director for 24 years before joining the Justice for Migrant Women team in mid-2024.
During her time off Gloria loves to spend time with her seven children and four grandchildren. She also has a dog (Luna) and a puppy (Lobo), both pomskies. Gloria's words of wisdom are from the Toltec's four agreements which are: be impeccable with your word; don’t take anything personally; don’t make assumptions; and always do your best!
Catherine is from North Carolina and first discovered her passion for policy and public service during a Washington, D.C. experience in high school. Moving to D.C. in 2016, she joined the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda where she led digital engagement and supported advocacy on issues including immigration, labor and women's rights.
M
Catherine is from North Carolina and first discovered her passion for policy and public service during a Washington, D.C. experience in high school. Moving to D.C. in 2016, she joined the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda where she led digital engagement and supported advocacy on issues including immigration, labor and women's rights.
Most recently, Catherine managed state government affairs at the American Planning Association, working with community planners to elevate their community's priorities in state capitols across the country.
Knowing her neighbors and building relationships is important to Catherine, so she prioritizes that in all aspects of life.
Catherine holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and in Spanish from Furman University.
Mary Alice Espiritu was born into a family of migrant farmworkers. Over the years, her family began to settle in Ohio as they found work opportunities outside of field work, and eventually, they left the migrant stream altogether.
In 2008, Mary Alice was hired as a bus aide for the local migrant and seasonal Head Start program. Through h
Mary Alice Espiritu was born into a family of migrant farmworkers. Over the years, her family began to settle in Ohio as they found work opportunities outside of field work, and eventually, they left the migrant stream altogether.
In 2008, Mary Alice was hired as a bus aide for the local migrant and seasonal Head Start program. Through hard work and determination, Mary Alice worked her way up through various positions in the program until becoming the supervisor of the Head Start center. Mary Alice’s personal background made her keenly aware of the difficulties migrant farmworker families face and proudly helped meet their needs while ensuring their children received the highest quality early childhood education.
Her career in education inspired her to work to create a community in which all children can thrive through public service. Mary Alice was elected to be a member of the Board of Education for Fremont City (OH) Schools. She is also a co-founder and board member of the educational organization, La Voz de la Comunidad, and volunteers regularly in support of her church.
Mary Alice is a first-generation college graduate. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Service Management from the University of Phoenix.
Maeve Elder (she/they) was born and raised in Fremont, Ohio, a small historic town that thrives upon the success of its agricultural industry, and is the home of Justice for Migrant Women’s headquarters.
Throughout her adolescence, young adult and present adult-life, Maeve continued to enrich her education on the advocacy for fair treatme
Maeve Elder (she/they) was born and raised in Fremont, Ohio, a small historic town that thrives upon the success of its agricultural industry, and is the home of Justice for Migrant Women’s headquarters.
Throughout her adolescence, young adult and present adult-life, Maeve continued to enrich her education on the advocacy for fair treatment of minorities with an emphasis on women’s rights. This life of political involvement instilled Maeve with a priority for policy and challenging its impact on marginalized groups.
Maeve focused her extracurricular time on the unequal stratification of human and civil rights within the city of Akron, Ohio. She found political opportunities within various local, statewide, and national partisan campaigns and organizations, and helped spearhead the creation of a local grassroots campaign. Maeve also used her voice to create panel discussions around topics such as women’s rights and immigrant rights.
Maeve concluded her student-career at the University of Akron graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She still remains deeply connected to her hometown and hopes to see a progression in the agricultural industry toward the fair treatment of migrant workers throughout the Midwest.
Andrea Gutierrez (she/her) was born in Toledo, raised throughout the Midwest, and has called Fremont, Ohio home for 30 years. She is proud of her Mexican heritage and is a descendant of migrant farmworkers. Andrea is passionate about advancing justice for people who are arriving in the states looking for a better way of life, especially b
Andrea Gutierrez (she/her) was born in Toledo, raised throughout the Midwest, and has called Fremont, Ohio home for 30 years. She is proud of her Mexican heritage and is a descendant of migrant farmworkers. Andrea is passionate about advancing justice for people who are arriving in the states looking for a better way of life, especially because her husband grew up migrating with his farmworker family as first generation Americans.
Andrea holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Toledo. She began her career as a Mental Health professional for 10 years, guiding people through anxiety to find resources. She has been personally touched by suicide and depression which fueled her desire to challenge the perceived taboo in Mexican culture of not getting help for mental health issues. Her desire to guide youth led her to be a substitute teacher for Fremont City Schools and to help ESL students.
When she isn’t working, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and her cat Churro. Her personal mantra that guides her daily life. “You should treat others how you would like to be treated.”
Elizabeth was born in Ohio and spent most of her youth living in Mexico.
When Elizabeth moved back to Ohio at the age of 15 for high school, she did not know what discrimination was or had even heard that word. One day, she saw students bullying a girl and proceeded to stand by her side and help her. From that day forward, Elizabeth knew
Elizabeth was born in Ohio and spent most of her youth living in Mexico.
When Elizabeth moved back to Ohio at the age of 15 for high school, she did not know what discrimination was or had even heard that word. One day, she saw students bullying a girl and proceeded to stand by her side and help her. From that day forward, Elizabeth knew she wanted -- and needed -- to make a difference bit by bit and to help the migrant workers in her community.
Elizabeth has spent her professional career in service to those in need. She spent fourteen years as a family service advocate for an area migrant and seasonal head start program. She also served as a bilingual WIC clerk at a neighborhood health association, a bilingual house manager at a homeless shelter and a teacher’s aid for ESOL students in the local school system.
Elizabeth loves working to protect and advance the rights of migrant women. Though she claims she may not be able to change the whole world, Elizabeth is always striving to make a difference and make someone smile.
Anne K. Ream is a Chicago-based activist, author and the founder of The Voices and Faces Project, an award-winning global testimonial writing program for survivors of gender-based violence and other human rights violations. Her 2014 memoir Lived Through This documents her multi-country journey spent listening to the stories of survivors.
As a founding board member at Art Works for Change and the co-founder of World Without Exploitation, the national coalition to end human trafficking, Anne’s writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, The New Republic, Washington Post, and elsewhere. Anne has received numerous awards for her work, including End Violence Against Women International Visionary Award, Soroptimist International’s “Women Making a Difference” Award, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Council’s Visionary Voice Award, which was presented to Anne at a 2011 Clinton Presidential Center ceremony.
A former Senior Vice President and Group Creative Director at Leo Burnett USA, one of the world’s largest media agencies, Anne has been named one of People Magazine’s “Heroes Among Us,” and was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as one of “Chicago’s Top 40,” in an article highlighting movement makers and opinion shapers who “make the city great” while creating change on a national level.
A passionate fan of all things rock ’n roll, Anne is a contributor to The Cambridge Companion to Bob Dylan, the executive producer of The Voices and Faces Project, Volume One - a benefit record featuring many of today’s hottest indie rock acts - and a regular contributor to New City Chicago, where she writes about the intersection of music, gender, and social justice.
Diana Ochoa works within the Trust Investments group at The Boeing Company, responsible for managing retirement assets. She is currently the Director of Private Equity, primarily responsible for making new Private Equity investments and oversight of the existing portfolio. Previously, Diana held roles on the Real Estate & Real Assets team and the Risk Management & Trust Operations team also within Trust Investments. She has been at Boeing over 10 years.
Prior to joining Boeing, Diana spent two years at JP Morgan in their Private Equity and Real Estate Services group responsible for servicing One Equity Partners, JP Morgan’s internal private equity firm. Before working for JP Morgan, Diana held various roles within Bank of America for over 9 years. Her time at Bank of America included two years within the investment bank and over 7 years in the Principal Investing - Private Equity Funds Group.
Diana has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Diana is fluent in Spanish, enjoys reading, travel and spending time with her family.
Ivana De Maria was born in California, raised in Mexico City and educated in Switzerland. She completed a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Law at Boston University, while also studying summers at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
As an actress, writer, and producer for Film and Television, Ivana has specialized in Storytelling as a whole. She has produced and starred in a number of films as well as TV shows and is currently focusing on creating content based on true stories. Ivana’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for true stories led her to create STORYPLACE, an empathy-driven digital community where people around the world share stories. StoryPlace launched in 2019 and now has over 35,000 users in 90 countries.
A big believer in social responsibility, Ivana is actively involved with multiple organizations including Visionary Women, This is about Humanity, The San Fernando Refugee Children Center, and Justice for Migrant Women. Ivana’s mission is to shift cultural narrative and promote empathy through storytelling.
Mónica Ramírez hails from a farmworker family that settled out of the migrant stream to live year-round in rural Ohio. She is a long-time advocate, organizer, social entrepreneur and attorney fighting to eliminate gender-based violence and secure gender equity. For over two decades, she has fought for the civil and human rights of women, children, workers, Latinos/as and immigrants.
In 2003, Mónica created the first legal project in the United States dedicated to addressing gender discrimination against farmworker women, which she scaled to create Esperanza: The Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In addition to founding Justice for Migrant Women, she co-founded Alianza Nacional de Campesinos and served President of their Board until 2018. In her capacity as Alianza's Board President, Mónica wrote the letter that was published in TIME magazine from farmworker women to women in the entertainment industry. It has been credited with helping to spark the creation of the TIME’S UP movement.
Mónica is recognized as a thought leader and prominent voice in the Latinx community. She has been awarded numerous awards for her work, including Harvard Kennedy School’s inaugural Gender Equity Changemaker Award, 2022 James Beard Leadership award, the Feminist Majority’s Global Women’s Rights Award, and inclusion on Forbes Mexico's 2018 list of 100 Powerful Women, among other distinctions.
Mónica is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, The Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law and Harvard Kennedy School.
Follow her @MonicaRamirezOH on X (Twitter) and @activistmonicaramirez on Instagram.
Scott Derome has extensive experience grounded in large scale cybersecurity, systems, and network architectures focused on strategies and solutions core to mission and business goals.
Currently, Scott serves as the IT Manager for a financial services company. He has held numerous other leadership and strategist positions in IT and cybersecurity at organizations including Cognosante, Media Matters for America, TGA Solutions, Southern Poverty Law Center, and other non-profits.
Justice for Migrant Women's Advisory Board is an informal group of advisors comprised of women who work and/or worked as migrant workers. This group of women provides feedback on Justice for Migrant Women's strategy and plans as well as other insights. The purpose of the Board is to ensure that Justice for Migrant Women's work remains grounded in the historical experience of migrant women workers while creating a more just and equitable future.
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Justice for Migrant Women is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 83-3607138).
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