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| Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders |
April 11, 2005
Lee Swislow to be New Executive Director of GLAD“We are thrilled and fortunate to have Lee join us during this extraordinary period of success for GLAD,” said board president Mark C. Kelley. “She brings a deep and accomplished management background and a passion for social justice. Lee is just the person to lead GLAD in its ground-breaking fight for equal justice under law.” Swislow’s appointment comes as GLAD builds on its historic victory in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the lawsuit that ended marriage discrimination against same-sex couples in Massachusetts, and set off a national debate about marriage equality. GLAD has since filed a similar lawsuit in Connecticut, and launched a New England-wide outreach initiative. “Joining a cutting-edge LGBT organization with perhaps the finest legal team in the country is very exciting,” said Swislow. “It’s a great time for GLAD to build on its strengths and fortify its position advancing the legal rights of LGBT people and those with HIV and AIDS. GLAD’s accomplishments disproportionate to its size - it’s the mouse that roared.” Swislow said a top priority will be GLAD’s new New England Outreach Initiative. “To win rights and sustain those wins, we need to enlarge the circles of support for LGBT rights in every state in New England. We’ll work in cooperation with local partner to tell the stories of our lives and show everyone the humanity of LGBT people.” Swislow has a long history of non-profit management experience with both large and small organizations. During her five years at the Justice Resource Institute as Vice President of Health Services and Executive Director of the Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center, Swislow oversaw a broad array of programs providing services to underserved populations, with a focus on adolescents and young adults. These include primary health care and behavioral health, outreach and referral, support groups, prevention work, and special services for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. Prior to JRI, she served as chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at the Cambridge Health Alliance (formerly the Cambridge Hospital), where she was responsible for the clinical operations and support services. She oversaw a successful merger with Somerville Hospital in 1996. Swislow has an undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from Northeastern University. She lives in Cambridge with her spouse, Denise McWilliams, a lawyer who serves as director of public policy and legal affairs at AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. They have an 18-year-old son and will celebrate their one-year anniversary as a married couple in June this year. Founded in 1978, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is dedicated to fighting for full equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, and those living with HIV and AIDS, using impact litigation and public education. GLAD’s signature victories include Goodridge v. Department of Public Health (2003), which ended marriage discrimination against same-sex couples in Massachusetts; and Bragdon v. Abbot (1998), in which GLAD argued and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed that the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV. Related LinksMore about Lee Swislow |
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