Earlier this year, the Board of Directors of SisterSong was advised by Loretta Ross, National Coordinator, of her desire to move on to new professional endeavors at the end of calendar 2012 after 14 years of leading and growing our organization.  The Board accepted Loretta’s announcement with regret, admiration and gratitude for her extraordinary leadership and service.  By mid-Summer of this year, we appointed Monica Raye Simpson, then Development Coordinator as Interim Executive Director as we contemplated a search for Loretta’s successor.

The leadership transition of SisterSong extended beyond finding a new leader to launching a national search for new Board Members as well. A Nominating Committee was established that included Laura Jimenez, Committee Co-Chair and Executive Director of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice in Los Angeles, Leslie Grant, Committee Co-Chair and SisterSong Board Secretary in New York, Carmen Berkley, Executive Director of Generational Alliance and Nkenge Toure, SisterSong Board Member both based in Washington, DC and La'Tasha D. Mayes, Board Co-Chair and Executive Director of New Voices Pittsburgh.  The Nominating Committee filled Board Member positions that were vacant to strengthen the governance body. This resulted in the appointment of eight new fierce women Reproductive Justice and Human Rights warriors to join our Board of Directors effective January 1, 2013.

Throughout this time however, SisterSong faced many mitigating challenges that are common to organizations in transition. Against all odds, when some thought SisterSong was a sinking ship, Monica swiftly secured the organizations financial and programmatic integrity by demonstrating staunch leadership and unfailing belief in the mission. She inspired new donors to support our evolution and galvanized members to support by calling all hands on deck. While some feared the storm, Monica, holding steady at the helm, led the organization through a tidal wave of challenges and unchartered territory. Today, we find SisterSong intact and in good shape to journey on to new horizons.

It is because of this amazing and unexpected leadership, that the Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Monica Raye Simpson as the new Executive Director of SisterSong. May others be so lucky to have such an astute and talented visionary when facing their fiercest challenges. Please join us in thanking, appreciating  and congratulating our fearless, awesome leader. Monica will begin her role January 1, 2013.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our progress and process.

Sincerely,

La'Tasha D. Mayes and Luz Marina Rodriguez
National Co-Chairs, SisterSong Board of Directors