Too often, conversations about gender and economic inequities exclude the people most impacted by these injustices.
Each member of the Speakers Bureau has completed the WOMEN’S WAY Change the Narrative Fellowship, followed by an additional six-month intensive focused on advocacy skill-building, workshops, and live speaking engagements. Through this experience, members deepen their advocacy in sharing their expertise, experiences, and vision for change.
This page serves as a hub to connect our partners, community, and the media with Speakers Bureau members, bringing conversations about gender and economic inequities to those who have been most impacted by these systems and know what it will take to build a better future. Whether you’re organizing a panel, hosting a community event, or seeking expert commentary for media, Speakers Bureau members are available to share their insights and lived experience. Explore their areas of expertise and portfolios of advocacy below.
Through diverse advocacy pathways, including public speaking, media strategy, arts advocacy, policy, and writing, members of the Speakers Bureau are generating awareness of racial and gender inequities in economic opportunity and driving meaningful action. Each member brings lived experience, deep expertise, and a shared commitment to transforming systems in the Philadelphia region and beyond.
Alisha Gillespie
Single Mothers, Equitable Healthcare
Alisha Gillespie
Advocacy Areas: Single Mothers, Equitable Healthcare
To request Alisha as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Alisha (she/her) is a former chairperson at Compass Working Capital and a soon-to-be podcaster. She has been instrumental in helping change policies for TANF clients and believes that advocating for women of color is imperative to a changing world. Alisha has experience with public speaking, both on the radio and for print media. As a born-and-raised Philadelphian, Alisha is passionate about becoming the help she always wanted. Her hobbies include writing, painting, and singing in the choir.
Portfolio:
–Change the Narrative Fellowship Story: Alisha Gillespie | Video | November 2022
–Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Why Narratives Matter | Panelist | July 2022
Get to Know Alisha:
Favorite thing about Speakers Bureau? My favorite aspect of the Speakers Bureau is that I'm able to come and connect with like-minded women, talk about issues that are current and near and dear to me, and strategize about improvements and how we want things done.
What is the focus of your advocacy efforts? My focus is on single moms raising Black sons, as well as helping Black women who are disadvantaged by the health care system. I am excited to learn how to get more exposure, network more with different programs and people to help me with that kind of work, and to get my story out there to others to encourage them.
Favorite Quote? “Dance to the beat of your own drum.” You can lose yourself as a mom, sister, wife, whatever, and this reminds me to hone in on who I am before all these titles and remain authentic.
Angie Orozco-Rasique
Reproductive Justice
Angie Orozco-Rasique
Advocacy Area: Reproductive Justice
To request Angie as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Angie (she/her) wants to eradicate period poverty in and out of prisons. Angie is a first-generation Hispanic American with a lived experience of period poverty, or lack of access to menstrual products and reproductive health care. In addition to working on several period poverty initiatives in the city, Angie is a student at Temple University.
Portfolio:
–Birth Justice Philly Conference | Panelist | October 2025
–CCP: Graduating with an Education in Advocacy | Article | April 2025
–Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Health and Healing | Panelist | April 2025
Christina Tsan
Asian American Issues, Immigrant Rights, Abortion
Christina Tsan
Advocacy Areas: Asian American Issues, Immigrant Rights, Abortion
To request Christina as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Christina (she/her) has always had a passion for social justice and the arts, which has led her to join the WOMEN’S WAY Change the Narrative Fellowship in 2023 and study graphic design at Temple University. As a member of the Speakers Bureau, she plans to combine her interests in art and social justice by using her graphic design skills to create projects that raise awareness for issues such as gender inequality, racism, and xenophobia. Christina also enjoys reading, writing, and doing photoshoots with her friends in her free time.
Portfolio:
–Change the Narrative Fellowship Story: Christina Tsan | Video | October 2023
–Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Our Stories, Our Power | Panelist | July 2023
–Philadelphia Mayoral Forum | Speaker | April 2023
Kachina Crippen
Mental Health, Houseless Population
Kachina Crippen
Advocacy Areas: Mental Health Wellness, Housing
To request Kachina as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Kachina (she/her) is pursuing a degree in social work at West Chester. She is dedicated to changing the narratives surrounding trauma, mental health, housing insecurity, and food insecurity. Her interests include writing short stories, bowling, arts and crafts, and photography.
Portfolio:
–Change the Narrative Fellowship Story: Kachina Crippen | Video | October 2023
Get to Know Kachina:
Favorite thing about Speakers Bureau? My favorite parts of the Speakers Bureau are the community and learning about new organizations through the workshops.
Focus of your advocacy efforts? My focus is on mental health and the houseless population.
Inspiration? bell hooks – All About Love
Marina Dominguez-Cifuentes
Pay Equity, Repro. Health, Immigrant Rights, Family Reunification
Marina Dominguez-Cifuentes
Advocacy Areas: Pay Equity, Reproductive Health Justice, Immigrant Rights, Family Reunification
To request Marina as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Marina (she/her) immigrated to the United States from Argentina in 2013. She earned her LLM for foreign-trained lawyers from Temple University in 2019. She has been active in various social justice initiatives in the Philadelphia area. She believes a better and more inclusive world is possible, starting with awareness and education in values. She has a strong interest in children's rights. As a Fellow from the First Cohort, she is participating in this project with the conviction that it will make a difference for the community she wishes to serve.
Portfolio:
–Change the Narrative Fellowship Story: Marina Dominguez-Cifuentes | Video | July 2021
Get to Know Marina:
Favorite thing about Speakers Bureau? My favorite part of the Speakers Bureau is being with like-minded people.
Focus of your advocacy efforts? My focus is on pay equity, reproductive health justice, immigrants' rights, and family reunification.
Inspiration? Malcolm X. He gave his life to the struggle.
Monique Taylor
Opioid Epidemic
Monique Taylor
Advocacy Areas: Opioid Epidemic, Kensington, Reuniting Families, Bridges to Recovery
To request Monique as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Monique (she/her) is a firm believer in the power of community. She is a Special Initiative Outreach Worker for Project Home, working closely with the Opioid Epidemic Community in Kensington, and is in recovery. Originally from Rhode Island, Monique loves being outdoors in all seasons. She is an Indigenous woman, a caregiver, and formerly incarcerated.
Portfolio:
–Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Resource Navigation and Support | Panelist | July 2025
–Beyond the Razor Wire Fence Podcast: Episode 5 – I'm So Worth It | Podcast | September 2024
–NPR: A new drug is worsening the opioid crisis in Philadelphia | Article | October 2023
Get to Know Monique:
Focus of your advocacy efforts? The focus of my advocacy is around the opioid epidemic in Kensington, changing the narrative, challenging stigma, connecting people with the resources they need, amplifying alternatives to “jail or recovery,” and building a bridge to recovery and family reunification.
Inspiration? Dr. Maya Angelou
Pamela Superville
Justice Impacted Women, Youth Empowerment
Pamela Superville
Advocacy Areas: Justice Impacted Women, Youth Empowerment
To request Pamela as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Pamela (she/her) is a dedicated Reintegration Specialist with over 15 years of experience advocating for individuals returning from incarceration. Through her work and her experience as a justice-impacted citizen, Pamela aims to create a more equitable environment for those impacted by the justice system (especially women and youth), empowering them to thrive and successfully reintegrate into their communities. Some of Pamela’s recent accolades include: The PRC’s 2022 “Leadership and Accomplishment” award; selection as a 2024 WOMEN'S WAY Change the Narrative Fellow; and a letter of Appreciation from the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Portfolio:
–Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Incarceration as Wealth Extraction | Panelist | November 2024
–Beyond the Razor Wire Fence Podcast: Episode 2 – Mr. Gender Wealth Gap | Podcast | September 2024
Get to Know Pamela:
Focus of your advocacy efforts? I am passionate about advocating for community-supported reentry for women and youth, and empowering strong, thriving communities and neighborhoods to stop incarceration in the first place. I strongly believe that people who’ve been impacted by the system know the solutions best.
Sappho Fulton
Justice System, Ending Recidivism, Trans + Nonbinary Rights
Sappho Fulton
Advocacy Areas: Justice System, Ending Recidivism, Trans + Nonbinary Rights
To request Sappho as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Sappho (she/her, they/them) is a global expert in transformational life coaching, addressing issues related to gender-based violence and pre-entry/re-entry services for diverse populations. With master's degrees in social work and organizational leadership, and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Psychology, she brings extensive experience in social work, community organizing, and nonprofit management to her role. Her personal journey, including over 20 years of involvement with the carceral system followed by nearly two decades of successful reintegration, adds depth to her professional expertise in reentry and second chances. Sappho is also a part of the Kingsessing Heals Community Resilience Center.
Portfolio:
-Aspen Institute: The Challenges of Finding a Job After Incarceration | Panelist | March 2025
–Beyond the Razor Wire Fence Podcast: Episode 4 – Collateral Consequences | Podcast | September 2024
Get to Know Sappho:
Favorite thing about Speakers Bureau? The opportunity to learn in community.
Focus of advocacy efforts? I'm passionate about creating systems of empowerment and healing for justice-impacted people, supporting trans and nonbinary folks, empowering people when they come home, and ending recidivism.
Favorite quote? “For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house.” – Audre Lorde
Tamara Cobb
Healthcare, Safe Communities
Tamara Cobb
Advocacy Areas: Healthcare, Safe + Connected Communities
To request Tamara as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Tamara (she/her) was born and raised in Philadelphia and is a proud mother of three adult children. Tamara has dedicated her career to community health and is a Certified Community Health Worker, Certified Peer Specialist, and Perinatal Community Health Worker. Her passion for working with the community began in the late 1990s and continues to this day.
Portfolio:
–Change the Narrative Fellowship Story: Tamara Cobb | Video | November 2022
–Closing the Gender Wealth Gap Forum: Why Narratives Matter | Forum Discussion | July 2022
Get to know Tamara:
Dr. Victoria Best
Women & Incarceration, Foster to Prison Pipeline
Dr. Victoria Best
Advocacy Areas: Women & Incarceration, Foster to Prison Pipeline
To request Dr. Victoria as a speaker, please contact us at achennat@womensway.org
About:
Dr. Victoria (she/her) strives to inspire others to be their best selves through education. She is currently the Project Manager for the DATA CoLab at the DA’s office and runs Victoria's Urban Outreach Tutoring Service (VUOTS), a grassroots organization that offers free educational resources and services to underserved Philadelphia residents. Victoria is a Black woman, mother, and person of Re-entry.
Portfolio:
–Beyond the Razor Wire Fence Podcast: Episode 3 – What I'm Built For | Podcast | September 2024
Speakers Bureau In Action
Explore where Speakers Bureau members are making an impact—in articles, panels, podcasts, community events, and more.
Since 2020, WOMEN'S WAY has supported 34 individuals through the Change the Narrative Fellowship, a program designed to shift dominant narratives about gender and economic insecurity by centering the voices and stories of those most impacted. In 2025, the Speakers Bureau was launched to deepen this work by providing 10 Fellowship alumni with new opportunities to deepen their advocacy skills, engage in public dialogue, and shape the future of WOMEN’S WAY’s advocacy efforts. This work plays a vital role in shaping a new cultural narrative—one grounded in the wisdom and lived experiences of all marginalized genders that takes root in communities, organizations, and the halls of power.
The Speakers Bureau is made possible through the generous support of the HFGF Foundation.
Ready to bring new perspectives to your next event, panel, or story? To request a member of the Speaker Bureau for speaking engagements or to comment on a story, contact us at achennat@womensway.org
