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Freeland Free Spirits program celebrates female-identifying, transgender, and gender-nonconforming Oregonians who are busting through the glass ceilings and soaring. These are people who think and act in an uninhibited way without worrying about so-called rules or norms. We might call them non-conformists, rule-benders, iconoclasts, mavericks, or bohemians. We might say they march to their own beat, to their own muse. We appreciate them for their abilities to help their community, to create beauty, to be original, to blaze trails, and to celebrate unabashedly.
Know a good candidate for our next Free Spirit? Nominate her today!
Free Spirits
Brooke Golden, YWCA of Greater Portland
We are thrilled to recognize Brooke Golden as our Free Spirit for the fourth quarter of 2024! Brooke is the Co-Director of Survivor Services at YWCA of Greater Portland, where she dedicates her life’s work to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. With over 20 years in social work, she brings expertise and compassion to her role, advocating for survivors across Multnomah County.
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Madeleine Oiseau, Basic Rights Oregon
We are delighted to honor Madeleine Oiseau as our Free Spirit for the third quarter of 2024! Madeleine is the Education and Community Organizer at Basic Rights Oregon (BRO), a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex, and asexual Oregonians. Through her work, Madeleine exemplifies the core values of BRO by building an inclusive, politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving significant policy victories.
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Heather Keisler Fornes, Portland Fruit Tree Project
Meet our Spring 2024 Free Spirit, Heather Keisler Fornes, Executive Director of the Portland Fruit Tree Project! Heat...
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Abby Guyer, Xcelerate Women
Meet our first Free Spirit of 2024 ⏤ Abby Guyer! Abby is the Executive Director of Xcelerate Women, a non-profit that provides services and programs to help women business owners to grow by building economic power.
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Beach Pace, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia NW
Meet this quarter’s Free Spirit, Beach Pace. Beach is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia NW serving youth in the Portland/Vancouver metro area. Initially starting her service journey in the military and then spending the past 17 years in the social change sector specifically in service to youth, Beach has a deep belief in the power of mentorship.
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Stacy Sawin, FinAbility
Meet Freeland Spirits newest Free Spirit: Stacy Sawin, CEO and co-founder of FinAbility!
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Erin Waters, Basic Rights Oregon
Meet our newest Free Spirit, Erin Waters! As a member of the board at Basic Rights Oregon and Director of Equitable Programs & Services at Black & Beyond the Binary, she has committed herself to raising awareness and providing resources to better serve LGBTQ2SIA+ folks in the community.
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Laura Kerr, Planned Parenthood - Columbia Willamette (PPCW)
Congrats to Laura Kerr, this quarter's Free Spirit. Laura is partner in the environmental, natural resource and land...
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Kelly Saavedra, Project Lemonade
Kelly Saavedra is an advocate for foster youth. Since 2020, she has served as the Store Program Manager at Project L...
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Kali Thorne Ladd, The Children’s Institute
Kali Thorne Ladd is a social entrepreneur who co-founded Kairos PDX, which spearheads a movement towards equitable e...
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Rebecca Kaihani, HF Garden Project
Rebecca Kaihani founded HF Garden Project in 2019, which is an inspiring 501(c)(3) non-profit that grows and donates...
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Michelle Jones, Wayfinding College
Michelle is doing her life's work right now with Wayfinding College. Her purpose in life is to help others figure ou...
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