A LETTER FROM TONI BOND LEONARD, FORMER BOARD CHAIR

Greetings SisterSong Members & Allies-

The winds of change and transition are in the air for SisterSong.  By now, you should have received our National Coordinator’s, Loretta Ross, email notifying you of her departure from the organization at the end of December 2012.  I am also writing with news of my departure as the Management Circle’s Chair.

Under Loretta’s stellar leadership, SisterSong achieved numerous significant accomplishments.  From putting the reproductive justice framework on the map and helping to change the face and direction of the entire movement to successfully guiding the organization on a monumental course of growth, Loretta helped to secure SisterSong’s place as one of the most important and impactful reproductive justice organizations in the movement’s history.

It has been my distinct honor to serve on a governing body with such fierce and dynamic sisters.  With the Management Circle’s support, SisterSong is truly representative of what it means to be that phoenix that rises from the ashes.  It went from having no staff and $0 budget in 2004 to an organization with $1 million budget, highly skilled staff, and a permanent office space in the form of the MotherHouse.  This is no small accomplishment in a seven-year period.  I attribute a great deal of my professional growth and development to my tenure served in a leadership position on the Management Circle.

The beauty of SisterSong is that it affords women of color with unique leadership opportunities.  The Management Circle is one of many such opportunities.  It has served as a model for intergenerational leadership, as Loretta and I are from two different generations.  We were able to work successfully together because there was both a mutual respect and admiration for the professional and personal experiences we each bring to the movement.

I am delighted that SisterSong is keeping this important model of intergenerational leadership in the form of Luz Rodriquez and La’Tasha Mayes as the incoming Management Circle Co-Chairs.  Luz and La’Tasha are two sisters who I have long admired for their vision and commitment to women of color and to furthering the reproductive justice movement.  It has been my personal pleasure to serve on the Management Circle with these two phenomenal women.  I confidently hand over the reins of Chair to these two sisters knowing that they have the expertise and vision needed to take SisterSong to its next level of growth.  Luz and La’Tasha represent a dynamic and exciting partnership that will lead the other amazing sisters on SisterSong’s Management Circle.  I envision nothing but extraordinary accomplishments from such a magnificent collective of brilliant women!!

This is certainly not goodbye, but farewell as I will remain a faithful support of women of color, reproductive justice, and SisterSong!!

Much Peace & Light,

Toni M. Bond Leonard