Bonnie, Erin and Allendra

Bonnie Grabenhofer, NOW Executive Vice President-Elect
Erin Matson, NOW Action Vice President-Elect
Allendra Letsome, NOW Membership Vice President-Elect

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Bonnie Campaigning for Hillary Clinton

Bonnie Campaigning for Hillary Clinton

Bonnie Grabenhofer, Executive Vice President-Elect
Bonnie Grabenhofer is a dedicated feminist that has balanced a highly successful consulting career with her volunteer work in the women’s movement. Bonnie’s early involvement with NOW included volunteering as a Clinic Escort (1989-2003). Since then, Bonnie has been involved with NOW at the local, state and national levels in numerous capacities.

At the local level, Bonnie has served three terms as president of DuPage County NOW (IL). In addition, she has served as the chapter’s Action Vice President, State Council Representative, Secretary, and on the Lesbian Rights Task Force. As chair of the Reproductive Rights Task Force she organized the first pro-choice demonstration in DuPage County.

At the state level, Bonnie served as President (2003-2009); Action Vice President (2002-2003); Chair/Co-Chair, IL NOW Political Action Committee (PAC) (1999-2009); Member, PAC Board, (most years between 1987-2009) as well as Chair/Co-Chair of the Reproductive Rights Task Force, (1998-2002).During her presidency, IL NOW introduced reproductive justice legislation and began a successful telemarketing campaign. Bonnie was proud to speak at a rally in the state capitol in support of the successful campaign to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in IL.

At the national level, Bonnie served in numerous capacities including, but not limited to: Great Lakes Representative to the National NOW Board (2002-2004); President’s Cabinet (1999), attendance/support at numerous national marches, and participation as a planner, presenter and/or delegate at many national conferences (1992-2008).

Bonnie led pro-choice support for the fiercely contested opening of the Aurora clinic, generating significant media and earning recognition in the Beacon News as a “Face of 2007.” In addition, Bonnie has used her organizing expertise in many election campaigns including Carol Moseley Braun’s historic campaign as the first African American woman elected to the US Senate and campaigning for Hillary Clinton in 4 states.

Professionally, Bonnie is a principal in Partners In Learning, Inc. and has over 20 years of experience in instructional design, project management, and performance improvement consulting. She has designed a wide variety of instructional programs, e-learning, and processes and tools to improve job performance. Bonnie has published articles in professional journals and has presented at professional meetings. She holds a master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education and is a Certified Performance Technologist.

In Bonnie’s words:

I’ve been a NOW activist for over 25 years because helping to achieve equality and justice for women is the most important work I do. As president, I worked with IL NOW to introduce reproductive justice legislation, lead pro-choice support for a fiercely contested clinic; and start a successful telemarketing campaign to support our work. But our struggle isn’t over.
Using my NOW experiences and professional expertise in learning, business processes, and performance improvement, I’ll work to restore our financial health, and improve organizational capability and results. I would be honored to have your support now, and as we work together to reclaim our role as the preeminent women’s organization and achieve equality for all women.

Erin at an Equal Marriage Rally

Erin at an Equal Marriage Rally

Erin Matson, Action Vice President-Elect

Erin Matson is a professional writer and NOW activist. She joined the National Organization for Women in 2002, and has held a variety of positions at the local, state, regional, and national level since then. She’s currently a member of the NOW National Board (2006-present) and serves as Prairie States Regional Director (2008-present) and Minnesota NOW President (present; 2003-2006). Prior to her election to the National Board, she led Minnesota NOW’s 2,400 members as the youngest NOW State President in the country (2003-2006), served as the National State President’s Caucus co-chair (2005-2006) and was the longest sitting member of the National NOW Young Feminist Task Force (2003-2008), which she co-chaired one year. She won a Minnesota Women’s Press Changemaker award in 2005 for persuading Walgreens to amend their birth control dispensation policy. She also helped to organize the NOW Young Feminist Summit in Albany, NY (2006), won a debate against Phyllis Schlafly (2004) and testified against a pharmacist refusal bill in the Minnesota House (2006).

Some of Erin’s additional accomplishments within NOW include:
- Authored and passed a bylaws amendment to incorporate virtual chapters into an organizational structure created more than 40 years earlier.
- Authored a unanimously passed resolution that created the 2006 Young Feminist Summit, and facilitated subsequent large group sessions with hundreds of attendees.
- Authored and passed a resolution to demand in-store access to birth control prescriptions in legislation and corporate policy.
- Created and led workshops at National Conferences on issues including grassroots organizing, mobilizing young women, electing women to office, birth control access, paying for college, economic feminism, feminist writing, and more.

Erin has been sought after to comment on NOW positions and has been quoted on behalf of the NOW in Newsweek, The Christian Science Monitor and Salon.com.  Erin has also participated as a keynote speaker in several events including: Indiana NOW State Conference and the Santa Fe NOW Young Women’s Writing Contest.

Writing is an important part of Erin’s activism and life. She is currently a Senior Copywriter specializing in online advertising, and has also worked as a freelance writer and corporate marketing communications manager and speechwriter. She has ghostwritten for several public figures and has also published work under her own byline in the Minnesota Women’s Press, The F-Word Magazine and a University of Michigan textbook.

Erin holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Women’s Studies and enjoys writing poetry and fiction in her limited spare time.

In Erin’s words:

I joined the women’s movement twelve years ago after anorexia left me with only a few days to live. In recovery, I swore I would devote my life to justice for women. As Minnesota NOW President, I led a successful campaign against pharmacist refusal clauses that included several pickets, testifying in the state legislature and public consciousness raising on college campuses. I personally negotiated national concessions from Walgreens. I am an artist, award-winning online strategist and advertising copywriter. I believe we can and must raise our voices collaboratively, inclusively and without fear – across chapter boundaries. When I was 24, I won a Federalist Society debate against Phyllis Schlafly and, afterwards, stunned her speechless by telling her that there were thousands more young feminists just like me!
As Action Vice President, I will drive bold, creative and unwavering campaigns, amplifying our demands for equality and real progress.

In the News
“Born to rally” Erin was seven years old when she organized her first rally: read more
“I’m a feminist, but…” Erin speaks out about being a young feminist: read more
“Casting a Chill on the Pill” Erin fights for access to birth control: read more

Allendra at a Young Feminist Task Force Meeting

Allendra at a Young Feminist Task Force Meeting

Allendra Letsome, Membership Vice President-Elect
Allendra Letsome has worked as a feminist advocate during her entire professional career.  During law school, she was the MD NOW Legislative Intern, working to promote policies and laws that would benefit all women.  After law school, she continued her work in the policy field, working first as the Policy Manager for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and then in Legal Momentum’s Policy Department as the Policy Legal Intern.  Additionally, for the 2005 election cycle, Allendra worked with the National Women’s Political Caucus, while simultaneously serving as MD NOW PAC Chair for that same election cycle.  She currently serves as a grassroots organizer for American’s United for Separation of Church and State.

Allendra has spoken for NOW, either on the state or national level, at various rallies, marches, public hearings and private functions.

Allendra holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and earned a law degree from University of Baltimore School of Law with a concentration in Public Interest & Human Rights.  She is also certified as a mediator.

In Allendra’s words:

The first time I represented Maryland NOW at the table testifying in front of the Maryland House of Delegates, I knew my presence was due to the work of brave and dedicated women who had gone before me and to the mentoring I received from strong local NOW leaders. Women may still have a long way to go, but we’re making progress and NOW is helping us do it.
I am running for Membership Vice President because I am committed to growing our activist base and fostering the type of leadership and passion that I believe is inherent in every NOW member. I am also committed to working with the Action Vice-President to reach out to and connect with the next generation of feminist leaders. Within NOW, there is a place for every activist, not only to participate, but to rise to new and unforeseen heights.

In the News
“NOW’s Under-30 Crowd Heads to Weekend Retreat” Allendra testified against a fetal rights law: read more
“Women Leaders Rally for Abortion Rights” Allendra spoke about young women and Roe: read more