2025 Speakers Idaho Women’s March

Betty Richardson has long been a leader in the law and the larger community. In two of her most significant leadership roles, Betty broke new ground. Nominated by Governor Andrus and confirmed by the Idaho State Senate, she was the first woman to serve as a Commissioner and Chairwoman of the Idaho Industrial Commission. Then, upon the recommendation of former Idaho Congressman Larry LaRocco, President Bill Clinton nominated Betty to serve as United States Attorney for Idaho. Unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she became the first woman to serve in that role. Currently, Betty is the co-founder and co-state lead of Idaho Women Forward, a dynamic bipartisan group of more than 15,000 Idaho women.

Born in Troy, Ohio; B.A. in English literature from Miami University; M.Born and raised in the Silver Valley; Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction, STEM education emphasis, Boise State University (2020); Boise State University Distinguished Alumni, 2021; Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, Idaho Human Rights Educator of the Year, 2020; National Education Association Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence, National Teacher of the Year, 2017; Industry’s Excellent Educators Dedicated to STEM (INDEEDS) Award, 2016.Ed. in higher education from the University of Georgia; 30-years’ service in higher education, providing leadership to students, faculty, and staff; held formal leadership positions as a women’s center director, Faculty-in-Residence program director, program manager for NEW Leadership (a national women’s leadership institute), and instructor of gender studies; co-owner of SAGA Leadership Associates, specializing in diversity and inclusion, women’s leadership, and team collaboration. She is a lifelong activist who is committed to lifting up the voices of every member of her community. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to be who they are and to pursue opportunities to thrive in a safe and peaceful world. She will go to bat for folks not being treated fairly or with compassion. She places high value on equity, education, and fairness, which shines in her service as legislator. Even as a child, Melissa had no stomach for a bully; she continues to fight against oppressive thinking, practices and systems.

Born in Troy, Ohio; B.A. in English literature from Miami University; M.Ed. in higher education from the University of Georgia; 30-years’ service in higher education, providing leadership to students, faculty, and staff; held formal leadership positions as a women’s center director, Faculty-in-Residence program director, program manager for NEW Leadership (a national women’s leadership institute), and instructor of gender studies; co-owner of SAGA Leadership Associates, specializing in diversity and inclusion, women’s leadership, and team collaboration. She is a lifelong activist who is committed to lifting up the voices of every member of her community. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to be who they are and to pursue opportunities to thrive in a safe and peaceful world. She will go to bat for folks not being treated fairly or with compassion. She places high value on equity, education, and fairness, which shines in her service as legislator. Even as a child, Melissa had no stomach for a bully; she continues to fight against oppressive thinking, practices and systems.

Gabrielle Wright
Gabrielle Wright is a sophomore at Renaissance High School. Over the past year she has and continues to work with Babe Vote to advocate for voting rights and youth involvement in government. Gabrielle is currently interning for Senator Wintrow at the statehouse this session. She believes that young people are an extremely powerful voice for change and loves seeing people her age involved in their communities and local government!

Abie Wallace
Abigail is a junior at Bishop Kelly High School. She is the editor of her school’s newspaper, a member of Babe Vote and the Idaho Library Association. Her speech will be on youth voice the importance of civic engagement in Idaho.

Ani Carnell is a junior at Boise State University majoring in Psychology, with minors in French and Ethnic Studies. She is the president of Boise State University’s Black Student Association and helped create a new student organization on campus called the Student Liberation Collective. She is passionate about being involved in her community and has taken on various roles and events to help foster community growth and spread awareness about current events. Her speech will emphasize the importance of addressing the challenges faced by women from diverse backgrounds and actively promoting inclusivity and equity.

Idaho Peace Band
The Idaho Peace Band was formed in the wake of the 2017 Women’s March in Moscow, as a powerful response to the call for unity, activism, and social change. Ken Harris, inspired by the march, organized the band in Boise, and since then, they have been a consistent and lively presence at local events, bringing music and energy to movements advocating for peace, equality, and justice. The Idaho Peace Band plays a key role in amplifying messages of solidarity, inspiring action, and uniting people through the universal language of music, continuing to perform and support causes that align with their vision for a more just and peaceful world

NOW (National Organization for Women) is a nationwide movement dedicated to advancing feminist principles, advocating for societal transformation, and fighting to eliminate discrimination. The organization strives to achieve and protect equal rights for all women and girls across social, political, and economic spheres. The Southwest Idaho chapter of NOW has created an exciting initiative called the Super Troopers—a group of vibrant, enthusiastic participants who perform at marches, parades, and various events. Their performances energize crowds, drawing cheers and applause while inspiring support for women’s rights and equality. The Super Troopers bring a sense of empowerment and joy to every occasion, making a powerful statement in the pursuit of gender justice.
2024 Speakers Idaho Women’s March

Representative Ilana Rubel is a Canadian-American politician currently serving in the Idaho House of Representatives as House Minority Leader. She is in her 6th term and has been representing District 18 since 2014. Representative Rubel is passionate about supporting the people of Idaho and will be speaking on the status of Idaho’s abortion laws, women’s reproductive laws, and pending litigations being sent to the Supreme Court.

Dr. Brooke came to Idaho in 2015 as an OB Hospitalist. She fell in love with Idaho and bought her dream home here for retirement. She commutes back and forth as a part-time Hospitalist in Orange
County where she continues delivering babies. Dr. Brooke will speak about the state of obstetrical medicine. She has talked extensively with fellow OB/GYNs. Idaho doctors, she said, live in fear of criminal prosecution and anger as their patients suffer needlessly from Idaho’s draconian anti-abortion laws.

My name is Lucius Alden (he/him) and I’m a senior attending Boise Online. I am a part of the local trans community in Boise and have been active in the Treasure Valley activism space since 2022, with most of my activism being independent and online. I am so excited to be given the opportunity to speak about the struggles placed on trans lives and the struggles native reservations in Idaho face today. I can’t wait to see you guys!

My name is Yuxuan Cheng (she/her) and I’m a sophomore at Renaissance High School. I started my involvement with Treasure Valley activism in 2023 with BABEVOTE and Reclaim Idaho, working to register new voters and canvass for signatures. As a first generation Chinese-American immigrant I’m so ecstatic to speak about the crossroad of civic engagement and the American values my family immigrated here for. See you all at the Capitol!!
