Hello SAF community,
I am writing to share some important news. As SAF celebrates its 30th anniversary, I have decided to transition from my role as Executive Director. I was an intern in the first official Into the Fields program in 1993. After 28 years on staff, I am excited to see what is next for me and for the next generation of SAFistas as they step into leadership at SAF!
I got involved with SAF to focus on workers’ rights and racial justice. Although I grew up in a working-class family in the segregated Mississippi Delta, it was through SAF that I learned more about my own family’s sharecropping background and began to more fully understand the privilege I have as a white woman. SAF has provided so many opportunities for me to go deeper in racial and economic justice work. It has also allowed me to use my popular education training, people skills, and love of budgets!
SAF is in a great place as an organization – we have strong programs linking young people with farmworkers, a diverse and experienced staff and board, and a national alumni support network. We have over 4 months of operating reserve, several multi-year grants, and over 1000 individual donors. We have a beautiful new office space at the W.G. Pearson Center and we have just completed a 5-year strategic plan.
SAF’s transition team is inviting applications for the new Executive Director now, so that we can have someone on board to meet this summer’s Into the Fields interns. Please review the job announcement here, share with others, and reach out if you are interested in applying yourself.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your belief in me, support of SAF, and commitment to farmworker justice. SAF needs your continued engagement, and the new director will need your support to continue building the farmworker movement. I will continue in my role for the next several months, so will circle back with my personal contact information and next steps for me before my last day with SAF.
All my best,
Melinda
P.S. Please mark your calendars for SAF’s 30th anniversary celebration and my official going away party on August 6 at the SAF office in Durham!
