Profiles

Melissa Cropper is the president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, a state federation representing 20,000 members in 60 locals across the state, including public school educators and support staff, higher education faculty and support staff, and public employees. Before being elected state federation president in 2012, Cropper was a library media specialist in Georgetown,…

Jessica F. Simmons is a Reporter & Strategic Communications Producer for COURIER, covering community stories and public policies across the country. Featured in print, broadcast, and radio journalism, her work shows her passion for local storytelling and amplifying issues that matter to communities nationwide.

Moriah Cox is an Appalachian woman, who was born, raised, and educated in East Tennessee. She graduated from college, to find the world less full of opportunity than she was told; and now organizes on behalf of herself and her people.

Dawn Daly-Mack is a Registered Nurse, and is employed as a Manager of Care Management for Tailored Medicaid. She serves on the Northampton County Health Board, and is President of the Northampton County NAACP.

Edea Bailey is an organizer with Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic (PPVSAT) based in Charlotte, North Carolina. She leads PPVSAT’s work to build community and increase the political power of some of the most marginalized communities across the state, including Black, brown, and young voters.

Cindy Elmore is a professor teaching journalism at East Carolina University. She was a journalist for 18 years before teaching at ECU and has reported from 18 different countries.

Born and bred in Western North Carolina, Brook Bolen is based in Asheville, NC and has written for publications including Thrillist, Vice, the Guardian, and Salon.

Anna Johnson is a gun violence survivor, special education teacher in Wake County, an activist with Change The Ref, and the social media director for Newtown Action Alliance.