Gaylon Alcaraz

American community organizer and human rights activist
  • Adjunct faculty at DePaul University
  • community organizer
  • activist
MovementReproductive rights, affordable housing, LGBT rights, women's rights, economic justice

Gaylon Alcaraz (born October 26, 1966) is an American community organizer and human rights activist in Chicago, Illinois.[1] She is the former executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund.[2] Her autobiography, Tales of a Woojiehead, was published by Blackgurl Press in 2002.[3][4][5]

Education

Alcaraz earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from DePaul University. She completed one year of coursework at Roosevelt University towards a Doctorate of Education. She is currently attending National Louis University to earn Ph.D. in community psychology.[4][6]

Career

In 1997, Alcaraz became a founding board member of Affinity Community Services, an organization dedicated to developing leadership skills for black lesbian and bisexual women. In 2011, she joined the board of directors of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health and the Midwest Access Project. Alcaraz was Executive Director of Chicago Abortion Fund from 2005 - 2014.

Awards

  • The Chicago Reader Newspaper - The People Issue - "The Activist" - December 2014
  • SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective - Women Warrior - November 2014
  • City of Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame - Inductee - 2013
  • NYU Wagner Research Center for Leadership in Action - IGNITE Fellowship - Women of Color in the Social Sector - 2013
  • National Organization for Women - Women Who Dared - 2012
  • Chicago Foundation for Women - Impact Awards - 2010
  • Choice USA - Generational Award - 2009
  • National Organization for Women (Chicago Suburban Chapter) - Fay Clayton Award - 2008

References

  1. ^ Turner, Dawn (19 August 2015). "Making the battleground the black woman's body". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. ^ Alcaraz, Gaylon. "Executive Director Report". Chicago Abortion Fund. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  3. ^ Turner, Dawn M. (25 August 2015). "The job of an abortion doula". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b Stevens, Heidi (7 October 2016). "From 320 pounds to the Chicago Marathon, activist 'will stop at nothing'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  5. ^ Balde, Lisa (29 March 2011). "Anti-Abortion Billboards Arrive in Chicago". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Woman Made Gallery names Alcaraz as new executive director - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
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1990–1999
1991
1992
1993
1994
  • Robert J. Adams
  • Tracy Baim
  • George S. Buse
  • James A. Bussen
  • Lori Cannon
  • John Chester
  • Chicago House and Social Service Agency
  • Samuel F. Davis Jr.
  • Adrienne J. Goodman
  • Earnest E. Hite Jr.
  • Bruce Koff
  • Ellis B. Levin
  • Lionheart Gay Theatre Company
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  • Gregory A. Sprague
  • Elizabeth E. Tocci
  • Steven F. Wakefield
1995
1996
1997
  • Toni Armstrong Jr.
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  • Corinne J. Kawecki
  • Larry McKeon
  • David G. Ostrow
  • Mary Ann Smith
1998
1999
2000–2009
2000
2001
2002
  • Affinity Community Services
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  • C. C. Carter
  • Jim Gates (Chicago businessman)
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2003
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2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010–2019
2010
2011
  • Paul Adams
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  • Jenner & Block LLP
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2012
  • Lois L. Bates
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2013
2014
2015
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2016
2017
2020–2029
2020
2021
  • Ginni Clemmens
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    2022
  • Maya Green
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  • Matthew Harvat
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  • Thomas (T.L.) Noble
  • Joey Soloway
  • Dan Wolf (Chicago)
  • Windy City Performer Arts
  • Outspoken (Chicago)
  • Homocore Chicago
  • Patty the Pin Lady
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
  • Season of Concern Chicago