Date: Wed, 11 Jun 97 11:16:01 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: NGLTF Names Two to Key Positions NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ................................................................. TASK FORCE NAMES TWO TO KEY POSITIONS Washington, DC----June 10, 1997----Kerry Lobel, executive director of The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) announced the appointment of Rebecca Isaacs as Political Director, a new position, and Sonya Shields as Development Director. Rebecca Isaacs comes to the Task Force from People For the American Way, where she was Director of Public Policy. As Political Director, Isaacs will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of NGLTF's programs including field organizing, public advocacy, media and the work of the Policy Institute. She has had considerable professional experience in public policy and media work. Before taking the position at People For the American Way where she was responsible for legislative and public policy advocacy, Isaacs was Communications Director for Rep. Roybal-Allard, D-Ca. Isaacs is also an attorney who has worked as Associate Director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, a San Francisco-based organization. She also served as a Director of the Battered Women's Alternatives Legal Advocacy Program in Contra Costa County, California. Isaacs has published several articles including a piece of political analysis which she co-authored, entitled "A Turn to the Right: A Guide to Religious Right Influence in the 103rd/104th Congress." She was also an editor of OUT/LOOK, a lesbian and gay quarterly. "I'm excited about this move to NGLTF," Isaacs commented. "The Task Force has tremendous capacity to support the work of local and state organizers and to do pro-active thinking which will bring our movement forward to the next decade. I can't wait to be part of this important team," she added. Lobel noted that "Rebecca is a tremendous addition to our staff. She has considerable respect in the public policy and legislative community and will bring a wealth of talent to the Task Force." Sonya Shields assumes the position of Development Director after a year as Associate Director of Development. The responsibilities of the position of Development Director include creating strategies and formulating proposals to increase support for NGLTF. She was hired by the Task Force in 1994 as the Director of Membership in charge of raising $1 million annually. She remained in that position for two years before her promotion to the position of Associate Director. For the past 10 years, Shields has worked in the area of public relations, marketing and fundraising for a number of non-profit organizations including the American College of Physicians where she held the position of Public Relations Associate from 1987 to 1989. She then moved to the International Eye Foundation to become the Public Affairs Associate for the next two years. In 1991 Shields began work at Physicians for Social Responsibility as Membership Development Manager. She remained in that position for three years before joining the Task Force in 1994. A graduate of Howard University, Shields serves on the board of directors of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum and the HIV Services Council Committee for the office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia. "Sonya's ability to attract funding to the Task Force has been a critical factor in increasing our membership, and bringing new foundation and corporate resources to our organization," said Lobel. "I am confident that she will continue to successfully cultivate development sources as she takes on her new responsibilities," she added. "The appointment of Shields and Isaacs puts us in a position to move into the next century with a clear and coherent political and development strategy," Lobel concluded. Headshots of Isaacs and Shields are available by calling the Media Department of the NGLTF. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .