Summary:
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wilson received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Kentucky University and worked as a newspaper reporter in Kentucky and Tennessee. She received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee. Wilson worked as a reproductive rights advocate and counselor before becoming the director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky in 1993. She became the executive director of the ACLU-KY in 2003. Four years later (2007), she became the deputy director of the ACLU of Florida.
Wilson talks about her transition from journalism to advocacy and social justice work. Her 14 years with the ACLU-KY (1993 to 2007) include important episodes concerning reproductive rights and separation of church and state. She also discusses changes that took place in organization’s management structure, expanded public outreach, and additional staffing. Wilson discusses legislative lobbying and public education efforts. Much of the interview focuses on reproductive freedom issues as she directed that program for 10 of her 14 years with the ACLU-KY. Wilson recalls the establishment of a youth leadership program as being particularly meaningful, as was hearing ane ACLU-KY attorney argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. She gives much credit is to the people who taught her about civil liberties.
Topic(s):
American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Women's rights, Reproductive rights, Church and state
