2010 steering committee

(Pictures are from the 2010 SC face-to-face in Immokalee)

Mapping the SFA network

Richard Blake (19, Gainesville, FL) is a longtime resident of Florida and is currently a second/third year student at the University of Florida in Gainesville with a Sociology major and an organic crop production minor. He first heard a member of the CIW speak at an anti-war protest in 2007 in Orlando and really dug what he heard, but didn't know that only two years later their campaign would be the forsefront of his activism. Richard came to Gainesville relatively politically aware, but politically inactive until he joined the local Students for a Democratic Society and there fought against a local heterosexist amendment and became familiar with the CIW during the Subway campaign. Growing up in the South has made Richard aware of the necessity to fight hard against racism and for the rights of immigrants and workers. Richard loves to play and listen to music and would be running track for UF if social justice wasn't his thing. He is super psyched to join the SFA Steering Committee and to contribute whatever he can to the struggle. Richard credits his parents with teaching him the basis of all justice: love. Contact Richard: richard (at) sfalliance.org

Shona Clarkson (20, Lawrence, KS) is originally from St. Louis, MO, but is currently living and learning in Lawrence, KS as a student at KU. Having just returned from a semester stint studying social movements in Mexico (with the Mexico Solidarity Network), Shona has been re-energized and is ready to engage in some solid community organizing in the States. In the past, Shona was involved in the Solidarity! Center, a local radical library and community space in Lawrence, KS. She is also involved with Lawrence Fair Food, a local branch of the SFA, and she is pumped to begin her involvement with the 2010 Steering Committee. Shona is interested in horizontal methods of organizing, economics, smashing patriarchy, popular education and relationship building. She also enjoys spending time riding her bike, cuddling and watching Lord of the Rings. Contact Shona: shona (at) sfalliance.org

Berenice (24, Denton, TX) is a nepantlera whose heart and energy flows between the lands of Mexico, Califas, and currently Tejas. She is a graduate student in Women Studies at Texas Woman’s university. Her research focuses on body politics, spiritual activism, social movements, all which is inspired by Gloria Anzaldua’s visions and writings. Berenice's organizing started as an undergraduate when she joined M.E.Ch.A. at CSU Fullerton. Soon, she became politicized and began getting involved in local/international social movements. She has spent time living, growing, sharing, and learning from different anti-capitalist communities aderentes a la otra campaña in Mexico. Berenice learned about SFA through friends and Jaraner@s at El Centro Cultural de Mexico in Santa Ana California. In the summer of 2009, she participated in the National SFA Encuentro, was deeply inspired, and decided that she wanted to get involved by joining the steering committee. She grew up watching her parents work as the exploited labor force of this country and this experience reminds her of the responsibility she has to familia and other communities to continue fighting for justice. In her free time, Berenice makes jewelry, plays the Jarana, reads, writes, and indulges in chococafe con pan dulce. She is hella excited being part of the SFA familia and is looking forward to this next year. Contact Berenice: berenice (at) sfalliance.org

Erica Dodt (23, Carbondale, IL) is soon to be graduate of Southern Illinois Univerity-Carbondale where she is creating her own major in Social Justice with a Women's Studies minor. Erica was introduced to CIW during the Boot the Bell campaign at her high school and became better acquainted with CIW in college during the McDonald's campaign. She looks forward to her first year working on the SFA steering committee! Erica also works with Students for a Democractic Society and a local feminist organization that she co-founded. She is interested in praxis, particpatory democracy, solidarity econmics and a redefinition/reclamaition of "student." She enjoys meshing creativity with the movement and is currently working to learn media/film skills to better bridge understandings of democracy, capitalism, globalization and neoliberalism. Contact Erica: erica (at) sfalliance.org

Jolene Elberth (23, Key West, FL) is a recent graduate of New College of Florida in Sarasota. She majored in Sociology and Latin American Language and Cultural Studies and wrote her senior thesis on horizontal organizing. Jolene first became involved with the CIW during the lead up to the McDonald’s victory in ‘07 and has continued to draw inspiration and motivation from the campaign since. She has turned around and invested this energy in her own community, working on building alliances and organizing around local issues, as well as on SFA campaigns. Jolene is deeply committed to change from the bottom up and community self-empowerment. She is looking forward to another powerful and inspiring year with SFA. Contact Jolene: jolene (at) sfalliance.org

Liz Fitzgerald (21, Davis, CA) is an undergraduate American Studies major at UC Davis. Liz is also the co-director of Village Harvest Davis, a group of students and community members who pick fruit and vegetables in the Davis area and deliver it to agencies who distribute them to folks who have inadequate access to fresh produce. She first heard about the CIW on a local radio show about sustainable agriculture when they had just won their victory with Subway. Liz is interested in finding ways to fully incorporate social justice into sustainable agriculture models, because this is severely lacking in the United States, a place with a history of long, hard, labor and environmental justice struggles. Liz is a queer, middle-class white woman who wants to a partner and ally in all kinds of struggles for justice! Intellectually, she doesn't know why the CIW's work has impacted her so much, but she feels a great deal of passion to support their work and be a part of this movement for social change in the way that we grow and buy our food. Liz is also really interested in baking delicious vegan treats with her housemates at Davis Student Co-operative, a place that has been a source of amazing growth for the past 3 years. She is super excited about getting more folks in California on board with the SFA and CIW, the west coast has got to keep on representin! Contact Liz: liz (at) sfalliance.org

Angelica Franco (27, Denver, CO) is currently a senior at Metropolitan State College of Denver, pursuing a Chicano Studies degree. Originally raised in Pueblo, Colorado, she relocated to Denver after obtaining an Associate of Arts degree from Pueblo Community College. Education, especially in the area of liberal arts, is very important to Angelica, who hopes to pursue a Chicano Studies masters/doctorate program in California, possibly at UCLA. Angelica is drawn to social justice and equality and has been involved in M.E.Ch.A (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan), a national organization that is both campus- and community-based. Angelica holds an officer position for the UMAS MEChA de Auraria chapter and is also a MEChA regional representative for Calpulli Montanas del Norte. She is also a mentor at Denver North High School and advisory council member for the program Journey Through Our Heritage. Angelica is also involved in actions and organizations that promote the advancement and education of young people. As a daughter of a migrant worker, whose entire family worked the fields, Angelica strongly identifies with the struggle the Immokalee workers face. She feels that in working through the Denver Fair Food Commitee with the CIW and SFA, she is not only fighting for what is right, but also honoring her family who endured some of the same hardships and injustices that workers in Florida's fields face today. Contact Angelica: angelica (at) sfalliance.org

Dinner, conversation and music with CIW members at the Community Center

Patrick Kelsall (23, Denver, CO), originally from Lafayette, Colorado, is out of school and now living in Denver. Being on the Steering Committee over the past two years has been a tremendous learning and empowering experience that he hopes to utilize in his third time around on the SC. Between Dine with Dignity, Kroger, Chipotle, and Quizno's, it is an exciting time to be apart of the Campaign for Fair Food. When not doing what he can for the campaign, he spends his time working for a childcare program, reading, sharpening his praxis, and getting into trouble. Contact Patrick: patrick (at) sfalliance.org

Brendan Laws (21, Houston, TX) was born in Dallas Texas, and raised in Dallas and rural Northeast Texas. He started with antiwar protests in highschool but became more active when he started working with Students Against Sweatshops, and currently works with Students for Fair Trade. He is a sociology and pre-medicine student at the Universty of Houston, and volunteers at Third Ward Bike Shop, a community/children based bike shop. Brendan comes from politically active family, and hopes to grow in his awareness andblity to teach within labor movements, especially worker led movements. Contact Brendan: brendan (at) sfalliance.org

Marley Moynahan (20, Washington, DC) A native of the woodlands of Northern Florida, Marley is studying at Georgetown University as a Culture & Politics major focusing in border & media studies. She first encountered the CIW during her freshwoman year in college while attending a United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) Conference in Miami, FL, with the Georgetown Solidarity Committee, and has been involved with Burger King and subsequent campaigns. In addition to SFA, she works on labor rights campaigns on campus, international anti-sweat solidarity campaigns, and immigrant and women's rights work along the U.S.-Mexico border, and is nurturing a love for graphic design and media production. She is particularly excited to have the opportunity to be involved with a kick-ass campaign based in her home state from her new quarters in Washington. Contact Marley: marley (at) sfalliance.org

Joe Parker (21, Washington DC) grew up outside the town of DeWitt, Michigan - located near the center of the mitten. He is currently a senior at Georgetown University, studying Culture and Politics. His real education takes place outside the classroom, however: fighting with workers and students to build a fairer, more radical campus community. Joe is excited to be returning to the SC for another year. He looks forward to organizing with SFAers across the country to join farmworkers in taking down corporate greed. Joe also loves music, dancing, pupusas, dark chocolate, and his compas - all of which he believes are crucial to building a better world. . Contact Joe: joe (at) sfalliance.org

Cristian Sanchez (19, Austin, TX) is currently a junior at St. Edwards University, studying Political Science and Sociology. He is a Chicano and originates from the Rio Grande Valley. Cristian got involved with the SFA back in early ‘07 when he joined the World Peace Alliance, an activist group. Cristian has been part of MEChA and his schools environmental group, the Environmental Awareness Club, and has recently become an active member of Fair Food Austin when he transferred from University of Texas Pan-American to SEU. The CIW and the SFA is a movement that Cristian identifies with and feels very passionate about and he appreciates the energy, strategy and people that are behind the SFA. He is also very excited to be on the Steering Committee and work with his fellow members. Cristian enjoys social justice, dogs, food, being a lefty, and things that are purple. Contact Cristian: cristian (at) sfalliance.org

Brittany Urse (21, Pittsburgh, PA) is a senior at Duquesne University studying psychology and sociology. Born and raised in Fairmont, WV, she originally became interested in labor movements and unions from the rich history of coalmining and coalminers in her state.Brittany first became enlightened about the CIW and SFA from Duquesne's Spirtian Campus Ministry and their decades long tradition of taking students to Immokalee during Spring Break.Through Spirtian Campus Ministry Brittany has also been involved in other social justice and awareness projects such as the annual Fair Trade week and Katrina Relief in New Orleans. Along with Campus Ministry Brittany is also active in a national service sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma, and organizations promoting mental health awareness, advocacy and inclusion such as Best Buddies and Active Minds. Along with school Brittany also works at a Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. When she has free time, Brittany enjoys live music, and going on urban hikes around Pittsburgh and embarking on other adventures in Western PA and WV. She hopes to remain in Pittsburgh after graduating in May 2010. Contact Brittany: brittany (at) sfalliance.org