Candidate Statements for At-Large Seats

Michael Coard

Michael Coard is a staunch and faithful member of the ACLU of PA. He teaches criminal justice courses as well as a popular course on hip hop at Temple University. For many years he hosted "The Radio Courtroom," an Afrocentric legal advice/cultural empowerment talk show on WHAT 1340-AM.

Mr. Coard was recently honored by the City Council of Philadelphia for his efforts to educate and sensitize the community on behalf of the contributions of nine slaves who toiled at the site of the President's House at Sixth and Market Street in Philadelphia. The Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) under Michael's leadership pressured the Independence Park Service to excavate and exhibit the "unexpected remnants of presidential power and chattel slavery." The public has responded powerfully to the exhibit.

Mr. Coard graduated from Ohio State University College of Law in 1985. As president of the Black Law Students Association there, he compelled Ohio State to divest all its funds from American companies doing business with the apartheid government in South Africa.

In addition to his activist work, he practices law in Philadelphia.

Karen Detamore

This brief bio is offered by a friend while Karen recovers from a recent accident caused by wheelchair inaccessibility. Her own statement will be posted soon on the ACLU web site.

Karen is the long time executive director of the Friends of Farmworkers, where she manages a state-wide program providing representation and education on legal rights to indigent migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Currently she is also a co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Committee on Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In the Pennsylvania Bar Association she serves on the Agricultural Law Committee, Civil Rights Committee, and Legal Services to the Public Committee. She is a member of several organizations in addition to the ACLU, including the Brehon Law Society, the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania, and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

Prior to her current position, she served as the national coordinator of the Criminal Justice Program of the American Friends Service Committee, as an attorney in private practice serving members of the military and veterans, as Director of Legal Awareness Workshops (formerly the Free Law School), as a staff member of the National Lawyers Guild Military Law Project in Japan, and as coordinator of Philadelphians for Equal Justice dedicated to ending police abuse. In November of last year, she received her latest award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association -- the Everyday Leader Award. A native of Texas, Karen graduated from Bryn Mawr College and Rutgers Univ. School of Law - Camden.

William DiMascio

William DiMascio is executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, a private nonprofit organization established in 1787 to advocate for a just and humane prison system. He has held this position for ten years and been recognized by the Philadelphia Bar Association with the Louis D. Apothaker Award for advocacy in the pursuit of justice.

He serves on the board of the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. This spring he concluded a term on the board of the National Issues Forums Institute, which promotes democracy through public deliberation.

Earlier, he formed a strategic communications consulting firm. Among his clients was the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation's program for criminal justice reform, which was active in North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

He began his career as an Associated Press journalist, serving as a newsman in Pennsylvania and later, bureau chief for the states of Tennessee and Ohio. He went on to become executive editor of the Cleveland, Ohio, Press.

He was a U.S. Army officer and Vietnam veteran.

Thomas H. Earle

It is with great enthusiasm that I present this statement in support of my nomination for election to an at-large seat on the ACLUPA board of directors. My background as a civil rights litigator, community organizer, and the director of Liberty Resources, Inc., the Center for Independent living for people with disabilities in southeastern Pennsylvania, provide me a diverse background for the ACLU's consideration.

For the past 16 years I have worked with the disabled community and low income individuals and families on an individual and group basis toward a goal of community integration. My work has included litigating cases in employment discrimination, fair housing, voters' rights, and disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Inherent in all my work since 1991 is unwavering respect for civil rights, especially the First Amendment. "If there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other it is the principle of free thought -- not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought we hate." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., J., in United States v. Schwimmer, 279 U.S. 644 (1929)

Anthony C. Infanti

I am currently an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. I received my J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1993 and a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University in 1996. After practicing tax law in New York City for several years, I began teaching law at the University of Pittsburgh in 2000. My academic work focuses on sexual orientation and the law, paying particular attention to the application of the tax laws to lesbians and gay men. For further details on my background, I encourage you to peruse my full resume at: http://www.law.pitt.edu/infanti/cv.htm.

I have been a member of the ACLU since 2005. Especially after completing work on a book on lesbian and gay rights, I have been truly inspired by the breadth and depth of the work that the ACLU has done to protect the civil rights of lesbian and gay men. I would be grateful for the opportunity to help advance that work-as well as all of the other important work that the ACLU does-through service on the Board of the Pennsylvania ACLU.

Robert L. Jennings, Jr.

I am a 56-year old semi-retired, plaintiffs' attorney, with 33 years experience representing people with serious diseases, mostly cancer, caused by occupational and environmental exposures (including contaminated air, drinking water and groundwater). I have tried many cases, from one week to 5 months in length, was my firm's Treasurer, and one of the senior partners in a firm of over 120 staff, including 30 attorneys.

I am a long-term ACLU member, and have been very active for the last 7 years in the Pittsburgh Chapter, including serving as Treasurer, Board member, Executive Committee member, frequent public speaker, and Development Committee member (including face-to-face solicitation of major donors). I served on the Search Committee for the current Executive Director.

I have sufficient time to actively serve, and I believe that the ACLU is the most aggressive and effective progressive organization in PA. I thus would be honored to be selected. We will never resolve the injustices and problems of our society unless we begin from a point of tolerance of everyone, and a willingness to consider any possible viewpoint. The ACLU is dedicated to preserving traditional individual rights, and expanding those rights to address modern views of freedom. These goals fit my life-view.

Clyde B. Jones III

My formal journey with the ACLU began nearly 14 years ago when I was hired as director of development for the New York Civil Liberties Union. The NYCLU was a vibrant, exciting place in the early 1990s - and remains so today. Full of young and passionate civil libertarians, it was for me a perfect place and time to gain insight into some of the most important issues we face as Americans.

But my commitment to civil rights and civil liberties did not start with the NYCLU. For more than 25 years I have dedicated myself to these worthy causes personally and professionally both volunteering my time as well as working with organizations such as the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, GLAAD and many others.

There is no more important time for all of us to be concerned about the state of civil liberties in our country. Every day we see examples of our most fundamental rights being challenged in the name of looming threats. Without diligence, the basic tenets we have come to accept as our rights as Americans will be diminished.

I am proud to be a board member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pennsylvania affiliate. Our chapter is tremendously active and committed to making Pennsylvania a model for affiliates across the country. It would be an honor to serve on the state board. I believe I bring a unique perspective to the board and would welcome the opportunity to do what I can to further the mission of the ACLU.

Arthur M. Kaplan

Arthur M. Kaplan, as Vice-President of the Philadelphia ACLU, led recent efforts asking national ACLU to support Campaign Finance Reform. His Resolution, passed unanimously by the Philadelphia Board, asks national to reconsider Policy 35, which opposes any/all limitations on campaign contributions/expenditures. He encouraged a similar San Diego Resolution. As a result, national ACLU appointed a Committee currently reconsidering Campaign Finance Reform.

He strongly supports ACLU work in the areas of free speech and religion, separation of church/state, LGBT and other civil rights, and restoring basic habeas rights of trial.

His lawyer biography is at www.finekaplan.com. (Penn '67, Harvard Law'70.)

As Co-lead Counsel in the Nasdaq Antitrust Litigation, he achieved a recovery of over a billion dollars for investors.

He serves on the National Board of Governors of Equality Forum, and is a major supporter of LGBT and other human rights. He is an active board member of performing arts, historic preservation, and environmental organizations.

Samia Malik

Samia Malik was born in Madras, India and brought up in a loving extended family. She attended Catholic High School and University. While in school she was active as a student leader, sports captain and Girl Scout leader. She was also active on many athletic teams.

Samia migrated to the United States and became a dental assistant. She is a wife and the mother of two wonderful children and has been an active volunteer in the school system. Other volunteer commitments include the Interfaith Shelter for the Homeless, Bethseda Mission, the Central PA Food Bank, and the West Shore Library.

Samia has held several positions at the Islamic Center and Masjid Sabareen, including the Chairperson of the Women's Committee. She has been part of the Racial Justice Committee of the YWCA. Samia has lectured on Islam, peace and civil rights at many churches, school and universities. Other affiliations have been with the Hampden Square Civic Association, Pairwn and the Institute for Cultural Partnerships. Samia serves as Director of Communications for the Harrisburg Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Jeanine M. McCreary

Jeanine M. McCreary is an elected official of the Erie School Board. Jeanine has dedicated decades to many community boards. She is very involved with several youth and community initiatives; the Erie Community Foundation Poverty study, and the United Way Project Blueprint leadership training program are but two. She personally provides financial literacy training to individuals, groups and councils small businesses. Jeanine is a founding member of Nurturing Hearts, which mentors children involved in the court system.

Jeanine has received several community involvement awards, the 2001 BEST Recognition award for board service, the 2003 Paul P. Martin Community Service Award." The 2004 YMCA Achievers award, the Congressional Certificate of Recognition and the Declaration of Achievement from the Commonwealth of PA. Jeanine was selected as one of the 2005 dynamic dozen women of Erie County, as a Women Making History award recipient and was part of the inaugural award recipients to receive the 2005 Generation E Leadership award. She was the 2005 U.S. Small Business Award Runner -Up, and was selected by Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania to serve on the Academy Selection Committee. Jeanine was also recently selected to receive the 2007 Democratic Women of the year award.

Jeanine graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with degrees in Business management and administration and currently holds the position as Community Development Officer for PNC bank. Ms. McCreary is also a licensed realtor. {License escrowed}

Jaya Ramji-Nogales

I would be honored to serve on the board of one of the country's strongest and most active ACLU affiliates - the ACLU of Pennsylvania. My first job with the ACLU was almost ten years ago, as a summer intern at the Immigrants' Rights Project while I was a student at Yale Law School. A few years after graduation, having gained experience in refugee work in Africa and international human rights work in the US, I returned to the ACLU as a Staff Attorney with the Reproductive Freedom Project. While at RFP, I worked on Establishment Clause litigation challenging "abstinence-only" sex education programs as well as cases brought under the right to privacy, ranging from procedure bans to protection of medical records. To my mind, one of the greatest benefits of working in the ACLU national office was the opportunity to keep abreast of the activities of the other projects, from racial profiling to lesbian and gay rights and beyond. Last year, I joined the faculty at Temple Law, where my research focuses on immigrants' rights. It would be a privilege to assist the ACLU of Pennsylvania's work on the broad array of topics on its docket, from the fundamental ACLU mission of protecting free speech to recent cases challenging policies of the "war on terrorism".

Ms. Ramji-Nogales is an Assistant Professor of Law at the James E. Beasley School of Law, Temple University.

Katherine D. Seelman

I am honored to have been chosen by the Nominating Committee of the PA American Civil Liberties Union for nomination to serve on the Pennsylvania ACLU Board. As a person with a lifelong disability, I have been an advocate for civil liberties and civil rights across categories of vulnerable people-disability, women, gays and lesbians, older adults, minorities…. My most recent efforts have been in Disability Rights but I have been active in the movements for civil rights for racial minorities, women and gays, lesbians, transgender people. In addition to discrimination, I am keenly interested in cyber issue, especially privacy and security. I serve as Associate Dean of Disability Programs at the University of Pittsburgh and formerly as Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the U.S. government under President Clinton. I co-chair the Pittsburgh- Allegheny County City-County Task Force on Disability and serve on the PA Rehabilitation Advisory Council and Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. When I was young, I was poor, had a disability and worked my way through college-- an experience base that has informed my future activities. Trained as a community organizer early on by ACORN (Arkansas) and Midwest Academy (Chicago), I spent a number of years working in Harlem and other challenging urban settings. My most recent recognition is the 2007 University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Public Service Award. I would be honored to serve on the ACLU Board and will make a firm commitment to execute the responsibilities of a member of the Board.

William W. Warren, Jr.

Bill Warren has been a vital and active member of the Board Governance Committee since its inception. He has approached that work with commitment, energy and great humor.

Bill is a member of Saul Ewing's Business Department, and its Construction and Higher Education Practice Groups. His practice includes counseling nonprofit associations on governance issues, and local governments and school districts on purchasing and administrative law issues.

Prior to joining Saul Ewing, Mr. Warren practiced law for nine years in Scranton, Pa. in federal commercial litigation. Mr. Warren also has served as the Chief Counsel for the Commonwealth's Department of General Services and as Chief of Litigation in the Governor's Office of the General Counsel. He is the former Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Environmental, Mineral and Natural Resources Law Section, and the former Chair of the Central Pennsylvania Federal Bar Association.

Mr. Warren received his B.S.E. degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Connecticut. He is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and is a partner at Saul Ewing LLP.

David A. Young

After 32 years overseas as an educator, in 2002 I moved to Central Pennsylvania to retire. I discovered I was in an area dominated by fundamentalists, anti-intellectualism, and dangerous levels of indifference, incompetence, and corruption. I was frustrated. I joined the ACLU. In ACLU members and staff, I found friendships, supportive networks, and tools.

I helped re-activate our chapter. In 2005 we started an annual dinner tradition and I created the Thomas Paine Award for Citizen Journalists to recognize noteworthy Letter-to-the-Editor writers.

To interest the public to read favorable things about the ACLU, I designed an annual trivial quiz which is embedded with ACLU information and values. This year we distributed 8,000 copies of this 16 page booklet and we are offering a $500 Savings Bond to the church or synagogue with the largest permanent outside display, on church property, of the Ten Commandments. Our purpose is to educate the public that the key issue is location of the display vs. the display itself. (This offer is also available to any major faith wishing to display, on religious property, their moral laws or sacred texts.)

This year we initiated a Religious Leadership Award for clergy and a Free-Thinkers Award for non-believers

I have a Master's in Counseling from Boston University. Three times in the l990s I was elected vice-president of the NAACP in Okinawa, Japan. I was awarded Fulbright-Hayes Summer Fellowships to India in l987 and to Indonesia in 1997. In 2007 I received the PA ACLU Outstanding Action Award.