Equality NM Names New Executive Director

From Equality NM:
Alexis Blizman Named Executive Director of Equality New Mexico and Equality New Mexico Foundation

(Albuquerque NM, August 4, 2005) — After a national search, EQNM and EQNMF have named Washington DC-area lawyer and political activist Alexis Blizman to lead the Albuquerque-based state-wide LGBT civil rights organizations.

"Alexis Blizman brings a solid combination of political and legal experience to New Mexico. She has a reputation for hard work and for bringing people together to work for common goals. She is well-liked among national political leaders, and we are pleased to welcome her to New Mexico," says Lynn Perls, Board Chair, Equality New Mexico.

General Counsel for Young Democrats of America and a founding member of the Young Democrats’ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Caucus, Blizman was the first openly gay representative ever elected to the Democratic National Committee from Young Democrats of America.

Blizman grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan. While earning her BA in Political Science at Wayne State University in Detroit, she reinvigorated and led a chapter of the Young Democrats and through that work became active in paid and volunteer work on local, state, and national campaigns.

Blizman received her JD degree at the George Washington University Law School in Washington DC. While in law school, she maintained her connections with the Young Democrats and the national Democratic Party. In 2000, Blizman became a member of the Democratic National Committee’s Gay & Lesbian Leadership Council. She served as Chair of the Law School’s chapter of Lambda Law and an officer of the Student Bar Association. And she completed a legal internship at the American Federation of Government Employees in their Women’s and Fair Practices Department where she worked on prosecuting EEOC discrimination claims.

After law school, Blizman joined the Law Offices of Brian J. Moran in Alexandria VA as an associate attorney where she worked in the fields of Domestic Relations, Civil Litigation, Criminal and Business Law. During this time, Blizman remained committed to the political process, volunteering on several campaigns, working with GAYLAW, and continuing to serve the Young Democrats of America as their General Counsel.

Blizman will be joining the Equality New Mexico organizations as Executive Director on August 22, 2005.

Equality New Mexico is a membership organization that uses the political process to guarantee full equality and justice for LGBT and allied communities in New Mexico.

Equality New Mexico Foundation is a coalition of LGBT and allied organizations and individuals that raises money to educate New Mexicans about human rights and works to strengthen community-based organizations and networks.