Meet Iman: Our new Advocacy Director

Iman Hassan is no stranger to Gender Justice—she previously served as our board vice chair, and now she’s back as our new Advocacy Director! A proud Minnesotan, Iman recently returned home after years of legal advocacy focused on disability and juvenile justice in Boston. Now, she’s bringing her passion and expertise to the fight for gender equity in Minnesota and North Dakota.

What drew you back to Minnesota and to Gender Justice in this role?

In my role as legal director of the Stop the School to Prison Pipeline Project in Boston, I recognized the power of legislative advocacy, litigation and collaborative work with communities and state agencies to advance progressive reforms that enhance the lives of the most vulnerable community members. I loved the model of legal non-profits that commit to partnering with community leaders and partners to create a vision of justice that centers the people we work for. Gender Justice shares that commitment and understands the importance of legal advocacy driven by a community-informed and ground-up advocacy model.

What excites you most about your work as Advocacy Director?

Minnesota is my home, and I am excited to continue to work on systemic advocacy during a time when Trump’s administration is posing a threat to our democracy.

You’ve worked on disability and children’s rights—how do those issues and experience connect to our mission?

The mission, vision, and goals of Gender Justice deeply align with my values as a disability advocate. As a disability attorney, I understand that bodily autonomy is the ability to determine one’s life and future, and have the information, services and means to do so free from discrimination, coercion and violence. In relation to sexual and reproductive health, it is the power to make basic decisions about one’s body and health, such as whether to have sex, use contraception, or seek health care including abortion services.

During my time at Southern Minnesota Legal Services’ Education Law Advocacy Project, I observed some dangerous social and gender norms from school districts which deemed young persons with disabilities incapable of making their own choices and advocating for their own bodily autonomy. It’s critical to address harmful social and gender norms and discrimination, which will empower those left furthest behind, including persons with disabilities.

What’s one thing you want supporters to know about the fights ahead?

Americans have experienced multiple moments of a “surge backwards” in terms of civil liberties after decades of progress. This pendulum is not new to many people, and we must lean on our communities and mass mobilization efforts to produce another surge forward.

When you’re not working, where can we find you?

When I am not in the office, I am hunting down the best americanos in the Twin Cities. I love our robust coffee shop scene and enjoy spending hours sipping on well-balanced espresso shots in beautifully curated spaces.