AZ NOW Trailblazers Conference

Learn How You Can Take Action in Arizona

Date & Time

Saturday, May 4th

10:00 - 3:00

In Person - Location

UFCW Local 99

2401 N Central Ave, Phoenix

Online - Location

Via Zoom

Link Provided w/Ticket Purchase

Run of Show

9:30	Registration and Refreshments
10:00	Reproductive Freedom Panel
11:30	Combatting Christian Nationalism
12:15	Lunch Break \| Food Available for Purchase
1:00	Political Strategies to Win in AZ
2:25	Simon Rosenberg May 2nd message to AZNOW (pre-recorded)

Keynote Speaker

Jeanne Casteen

Executive Director for Secular AZ

Jeanne Casteen is the executive director at Secular Arizona, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that protects the constitutional separation of church and state and educates lawmakers and the public to ensure freedom of conscience for Arizonans of all faiths and of none, will speak on the rise of Christian Nationalism and its impact on our schools.

Featured Speaker

Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick

Medical Director of Camelback Family Planning

For 25 years, founder Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick, has led Camelback Family Planning, Arizona‘s top independent abortion clinic. She co-founded the Abortion Fund of Arizona and chaired Pro-Choice Arizona. Trained by Dr. George Tiller, she’s a renowned advocate for women’s rights and an authority on abortion procedures including later abortion care, publishing pioneering research and training global medical professionals.

Panelists

Reproductive Freedom & Political Strategies Panels

If you care deeply about women's rights and healthcare freedom, the panels on Reproductive Freedom and Political Strategy are essential for understanding the fight we're in here in Arizona. This is your chance to engage with leaders who are creating a future where every woman's health choices are valued and protected.

Panel Discussion: Reproductive Freedom

Moderator Jodi Liggett with Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement will be joined by subject matter experts: Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick with Camelback Family Planning, Athena Salman with Reproductive Freedom for All, Arizona State Senator Eva Burch, and Laura Dent with Arizona for Abortion Access.

Panel Discussion: Political Strategies to Win in Arizona

Moderator Marie Thearle, chair of the AZ NOW PAC, will be joined by experts: Beth Lewis with Save Our Schools, Cathy Sigmon with Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, Arizona State Senator Flavio Bravo, Francesca Martin with Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition, Shea Najafi Community Organizer and Activist, and Teresa D'Asaro Labor Activist & MCDP Labor Chair.

Eva Burch

Arizona State Senator

Senator Eva Burch advocates tirelessly for expanded healthcare services and protection of women’s autonomy. Her speeches resonate with passion and a commitment to change.

Flavio Bravo

Arizona State Senator

Senator Flavio Bravo works fervently to dismantle healthcare barriers, particularly for underserved women, infusing his talks with urgency and a call to action.

Jodi Liggett

Founder AZ Center for Women’s Advancement

Jodi Liggett, a seasoned women‘s advocate, has served in various roles across political parties, including as senior policy advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for Democratic Phoenix Mayors Greg Stanton and Kate Gallego. Former CEO of Arizona Foundation for Women and Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates AZ, she now leads the Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement.

Francesca Martin

Co-founder and deputy director of Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition

Francesca is a student at ASU, majoring in Political Science. She first got involved working with Students for Biden 2020. She is now co-founder and deputy director of Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition. During the 2022 midterm she worked for the Maricopa County Democratic Party and has since been involved in various other vital campaigns.

Athena Salman

Reproductive Freedom for All Director of Arizona Campaigns

Athena Salman comes to Reproductive Freedom For All (RFFA) after serving in the Arizona House of Representatives, where she was a fierce advocate for access to reproductive health care. In 2023, she established the Arizona Repro Table, a coalition of partners in Arizona working together to advance reproductive rights. Prior to the legislature, she worked in the public and nonprofit sector where she focused on empowering women, girls and working families.

Beth Lewis

Executive Director of Save Our Schools

As Executive Director of Save Our Schools Arizona, Beth works to bring parents, educators, elected officials, business leaders, and community members together in support of Arizona’s public schools, which strengthen our communities and our great state. Beth was named a Rodel Exemplary teacher and Tempe Diablos Teacher of the Year Finalist. She holds a BA from Notre Dame and a Master’s from ASU.

Cathy Sigmon

Co-founder CEBV and Save Our Schools

Cathy is co-founder and co-director of Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, a statewide nonprofit that promotes engagement with state and local government, and is also co-founder of Save Our Schools Arizona, a statewide nonprofit fighting for a strong public education system.

Teresa D’Asaro

Labor Activist & MCDP Labor Chair

Over 27 years, Teresa worked her way up through the UFCW Local 99 as Field Coordinator, Field Director, and Community Outreach Director. Teresa is a champion for working Arizonans through her role as Secretary Treasurer on the Executive Board of the UFCW International Women’s Network and as Chair of the Maricopa Area Labor Federation. Teresa has now joined Maricopa County Democrats as the Labor Committee Chair.

Marie Thearle MD

Chair of AZ NOW PAC

Marie Thearle MD is a semi-retired physician, a mom of two teenagers, and has years of experience with advocacy around gun violence prevention and elections. This election cycle, she is chairing the AZ NOW PAC. Please refer to the website aznowpac.org

Shea Najafi

Community Organizer & Civics 101 Happy Hour Founder

Shea Najafi is a community organizer and activist for women and children. She has found a way to make politics fun with her popular Civics 101 Happy Hours. Over the last two years she has focused her energy on education as the co-chair for Scottsdale’s school override and currently co-chairs the campaign for the slate of three school board seats, where they are just one seat away from losing their board majority to those seeking to destroy public education from the inside out.

Simon Rosenberg

May 2nd message to AZ NOW - pre-recorded

Simon Rosenberg is a highly regarded political strategist and commentator with more than 30 years of experience in national politics and television news. He has built a new home for his political analysis, commentary, and live political discussions at Hopium Chronicles, an engaging new project on the Substack media platform. He is a frequent commentator on cable news, in national newspapers and magazines and on leading podcasts.

Truth B Told

Writer and Spoken Word Artist

Truth B. Told, an award-winning writer and spoken word artist, has captivated audiences from Hollywood to Manhattan and appeared on BET, MTV, VH1, and PBS. As the founder and CEO of Culture PHX, he has made significant contributions to underserved communities through events like those with the WNBA‘s Phoenix Mercury. His latest venture, CultureHUB, is Arizona’s first Black-owned culturally safe co-working and event space, embodying the motto "Connect Dots, Build Culture, Thrive Together."

Laura Dent

Political Director of AZ for Abortion Access

Laura is an experienced organizer, policy advisor, and political operative. Laura has served as Executive Director of Chispa Arizona, a statewide climate justice advocacy organization, as well as Coalition Director of Activate 48, a network of movement-building organizations leading voter engagement work across Arizona. She is presently Political Director for the AZ for Abortion Access initialtive, a campaign working to protect abortion rights for Arizonans in 2024.

In Addition to Our Speakers

Lynne Cadigan

Sexual Abuse Victim Attorney and Advocate

Lynne Cadigan is a nationally recognized legal expert known for pioneering aggressive and creative litigation against persons and organizations who commit or conceal sexual abuse crimes. Having represented victims in Arizona for over 30 years, she has participated in some of the largest civil settlements ever awarded on behalf of abused victims, and has obtained significant monetary restitution for clients from culpable entities such as schools, churches, scholastic and sports clubs, day care centers, hospitals, police departments, and prisons. She has been extensively interviewed by national and international media outlets including NPR, BBC, CBC, MSNBC, Fox News, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, the Boston Globe, Al Jazeera, and The Seattle Times, among many others.

Karen Clark Award: Tucson attorney, Lynne Cadigan, who recently represented the Adams children in a high-profile child sexual abuse lawsuit against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be awarded the Karen Clark Award for her continuous fight for vulnerable children.

Let’s Get to Work!

We will not sit on the sidelines while women’s rights are stripped away! There are many ways you can show your support, get involved and make change for women in Arizona.
Register now for an uplifting day of education and action!

Students can Register for FREE!

Students and individuals needing financial assistance can register here.

Don't let financial concerns prevent you from discovering how you can contribute to these crucial issues.

Student & Sliding Scale Registration

Run of Show

9:30
Registration & Light Refreshments
10:00
Panel: Reproductive Freedom
11:30
Combatting Christian Nationalism
12:15
Lunch
1:00
Panel: Political Strategies to Win
2:25
Simon Rosenberg May 2nd Message to AZNOW pre-recorded
2:50
Wrap Up

AZ NOW Trailblazers Conference

Saturday, May 4th

10:00 - 3:00

UFCW Local 99

2401 N Central Ave, Phoenix

Via Zoom

Link Provided w/Ticket Purchase

Run of Show

Keynote Speaker

Jeanne Casteen

Featured Speaker

Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick

Panelists

Reproductive Freedom & Political Strategies Panels

Panel Discussion: Reproductive Freedom

Panel Discussion: Political Strategies to Win in Arizona

Eva Burch

Flavio Bravo

Jodi Liggett

Francesca Martin

Athena Salman

Beth Lewis

Cathy Sigmon

Teresa D’Asaro

Marie Thearle MD

Shea Najafi

Simon Rosenberg

Truth B Told

Laura Dent

In Addition to Our Speakers

Lynne Cadigan

Please Share This Important Conference Information!

Let’s Get to Work!

Students can Register for FREE!

Run of Show

9:30

10:00

11:30

12:15

1:00

2:25

2:50

Central Phoenix-Inez Casiano Chapter

East Valley Chapter

Categories

Sun Cities/West Valley Chapter