"Louder Together" Virtual Program
Louder Together: Intersectionality in Uncertain Times
Virtual Program
Welcome to “Louder Together” a Women’s History Month event brought to you by Washington’s Community-Focused Commissions and the Office of Equity. Tonight’s panel discussion explores the importance of intersectionality in coalition-building, community support, and systems change in this critical moment.
Q&A:
We will have prepared questions from until 7:15pm then we will answer a few questions from the audience. To submit questions please use Zoom’s Q&A function.
Accessibility:
ASL Interpretation will be available throughout the event.
Meet our Panel
Moderator
Megan Matthews
Executive Director, Washington State Office of Equity
Megan Matthews (she/her) is driven by a passion for bringing people together and advocating for justice. Outside of work, she enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with family and friends. Motivated by those who supported her journey, Megan is committed to dismantling unfair systems and removing barriers for underserved communities. She believes in holding people accountable while providing unwavering support and using her privilege to drive meaningful change. Focused on prioritizing people over processes, Megan continuously reflects on her actions to ensure she is advancing justice and making a positive impact for future generations.
Panelists
Amasai Jeke
LGBTQ Commission (LGBTQ)
Ms. Amasai Jeke, an Indigenous Fijian feminist activist, advocates for gender equality and LGBTQI rights. With over a decade of experience, she's worked with organizations like Rainbow Pride Foundation Fiji and served on various regional advisory boards and currently serves as the SPEaC Change Program Coordinator for UTOPIA Washington, focusing on climate justice. She's also involved in various regional groups, including the Peer Support Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Fiji and the Asia-Pacific Youth Voices Count, representing LGBTQI voices at national and global levels, including collaborations with the United Nations.
Jessica Hernandez
Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA)
Jessica resides in the intersectionality of being a mother and wife, a Latina, a civil servant, and a small farmer. Passionate about the human rights of access to culturally relevant, nourishing food, she spends much of her days talking and thinking about food access and justice! Jess focuses her days on elevating and advocating for issues that impact her ethnic community statewide and her geographically rural community. She brings to the table a curiosity and a fierceness regarding issues she's passionate about. You'll know her by her belly laugh, gifted to her by her mother.
Anna Lising
Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)
Anna Lising is a Filipina immigrant and mother of three (two humans and a dog). Raised by a single mother in Kirkland and a University of Washington graduate, she spent 15 years shaping climate policy in DC and California. Anna earned a public policy degree from Georgetown while working full-time at the US Department of Energy. Returning to Washington, she served as Governor Inslee’s Senior Climate Advisor, leading efforts to decarbonize key sectors. With a focus on frontline communities, Anna has pioneered initiatives that address climate impacts on low-income and communities of color. As Commissioner, she aims to advocate for AAPI communities using her policymaking expertise.
Vicki Lowe
Washington State Women's Commission (WSWC)
Vicki Lowe, Executive Director of the American Indian Health Commission for Washington State since 2015, is a descendant of the Jamestown S’Klallam and Bella Coola First Nations. With extensive experience in Indian health care, she has led statewide strategies supporting Tribal and Urban Indian health programs. She developed Tribal Assister Project and Indian Health Care Reform Manual for Washington State and ensured Tribal engagement and inclusion in Medicaid Transformation. Vicki played a key role in the Washington Indian Health Improvement Act and the Washington Indian Behavioral Health Act. Active in her community, she has been part of the Jamestown Canoe Family since 2009 and supports cultural programs.
Lolinda Turner
Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA)
Her work entails exposing, encouraging, and supporting youth and young adults from all backgrounds to the wonderful world of dentistry. The Director of Student Success and Engagement is responsible for providing appropriate academic support for dental students during the academic program and for providing transitional support as they move to practice. Due to her passion and love for dentistry and wanting to continue to increase the dental workforce and its diversity, Ms. Turner wanted to do more for the state of Washington and its access to finding providers that represent the needs of the community. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, traveling, and watching documentaries about anything and anyone.
