Breaking: Ilyse Hogue named next president of NARAL

An exciting day for the future of reproductive rights activism–Ilyse Hogue, a great thinker, writer and activist has been named the next president of NARAL!

Full press release:

Washington, D.C.–The boards of directors of NARAL Pro-Choice America and the NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation announced today that Ilyse Hogue has been chosen to succeed Nancy Keenan as president of the organization.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be given the honor of leading this great organization,” Hogue said. “This is a critical moment to engage a new generation of young people in the conversation about what choice means in a modern age.  We have a unique opportunity to ignite the pro-choice values most Americans share, solidify our longstanding pro-choice base, and expand its reach moving forward.”

Hogue joins NARAL Pro-Choice America as the former co-founder and co-director of Friends of Democracy Super PAC, a group that works to advance campaign finance reform. She is also a former senior advisor to Media Matters for America, the not-for-profit media accountability organization, and the former director of political advocacy and communications for MoveOn.org.

Janet Denlinger, chair of NARAL Pro-Choice America’s board of directors, said the organization was fortunate to find such a uniquely qualified candidate to lead the organization.

“I am delighted by this decision,” Denlinger said. “Ilyse is the ideal candidate to build on the legacy of the pro-choice movement and raise this cause to new heights. Not only does she have a strong background in political and multi-issue organizing, Ilyse also has conveyed passion and a vision to rally a new generation of young people around the issue of choice.”

In May 2012, Nancy Keenan, who became president of NARAL Pro-Choice America eight years ago, announced that she would retire in the hopes that a new leader would take the reins and inspire the next generation of voices to embrace their pro-choice values.

Rosalyn Levy Jonas, chair of the board of directors for NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, also shared excitement about Hogue’s selection.

“Under Ilyse’s leadership,” Jonas said, “I have no doubt that this organization will continue to stand as a leader against challenges to choice with a renewed energy and bold ideas to protect this freedom in the decades ahead.”

NARAL Pro-Choice America is the political leader of the pro-choice movement. The organization lobbies elected officials in Congress and in the states to support reproductive freedom. NARAL Pro-Choice America uses the political process to elect lawmakers who share our pro-choice values and defeat candidates who don’t. The organization has over one-million member activists, and affiliates in 23 states, to protect and defend reproductive rights day in and day out.