iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
An Indian American Democratic political activist and longtime advisor on campaigns of President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton have been appointed the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, the largest organization that advocates for reproductive freedom nationwide and in development aid to other countries.
Mini Timmaraju, a first-generation immigrant from India, becomes the first woman of color to lead the organization.
She has served as an advisor for the Biden administration on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and was the national women’s vote director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. She also served as a Chief of Staff to House Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) and as a district director for former House Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas.)
The NARAL Pro Choice America Board made the announcement on Diwali day, Nov. 4, 2021. Timmaraju will join the organization on November 15, 2021.
Founded in 1969, NARAL Pro-Choice America has more than 2.5 million members and is the oldest membership organization dedicated to fighting for abortion access.
Timmaraju will be facing strong headwinds and challenges as she leads NARAL has to step up its game in the face of challenges in the Supreme Court. The constitutional right to abortion “is in unprecedented jeopardy as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade in less than a month,” NARAL said in its press release.
“I could not be more honored to step into this role, with so much at stake for the freedom to decide,” Timmaraju is quoted saying in the press release. “I’ve long admired NARAL Pro-Choice America as a political powerhouse that builds power at the state and national level and reaches key constituencies,” she added.
“Right now, it is imperative that we elect champions for reproductive freedom and hold accountable those who are trying to roll back abortion access, while centering the communities who bear the brunt of the anti-choice movement’s cruel attacks on reproductive freedom,” she continued.
Timmaraju replaces Ilyse Hogue, who stepped down as NARAL president in May after leading the organization for eight years.
The new hiring comes as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two separate cases about Texas’ abortion ban and preparing to hear a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade within a month.
