Charlotte Hirst McConnell

Dynamic community organizer with a proven track record at the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, adept at stakeholder engagement and advocacy strategies. Successfully developed training programs and facilitated discussions that advanced equitable education policies, while enhancing volunteer coordination and community outreach efforts to promote educational justice.

• Saline Leadership Institute Class 24
• Team Kanban Professional (TKP), 02/24
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), 01/24
• Certified Agile Leadership Essentials (CAL-E), 12/23
• Certified Agile Leadership for Orgs (CAL-O), 12/23
• Progressive Change Campaign Committee, 2018
• Virginia Progressive Leadership Program, 2017

• Eastern Michigan University Dean's list, Winter 2024
• Eastern Michigan University Dean's list, Winter 2023
• Eastern Michigan University Dean's list, Fall 2022
• John Weir Academic Scholarship Award, 2022
• John Weir Academic Scholarship Award, 2023
• Toastmasters District 29 Area 52 speech contest, 2022
• Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Pride Proclamation, 2021
• Virginia General Assembly, House Resolution 199, 2020
• Loudoun Education Association, 'Friend of Education' award, 2017-2018

• Saline Arts and Cultures Committee, Supporting the arts in Saline through organizing events like Saline's annual Jazz In the Park, Chalk Art with David Zinn, and public displays of Art Around Saline.
• Friends of the Saline District Library Corner Book Shop, Served as a cashier and maintained the book shop.
• PFLAG, Youth Facilitator, Promoted monthly meetings and facilitated the LGBTQ+ youth group. This community building would involve icebreakers, topic suggestions, community resources, and a space for people to be their authentic selves.
• Together We Will Speaker Series, Organizer, Identified topics, speakers, and meeting locations for community education on civic engagement, Gerrymandering, and diversity. I would research issues, create visual aids as needed, host the event, introduce speakers, and moderate the question and answer portion.
• Darkness to Light, Authorized Facilitator, Promoted the Stewards of Children training to local businesses, schools, youth-serving organizations, and the general public. Arranged training, created Facebook and Eventbrite events, and provided documentation to attendees. The aim is to prevent the sexual abuse of children.
• Death Cafes, Facilitator, Engaged in community conversation about death and dying outside the confines of grief and estate planning.
• Better Angels, Organizer, Participated in and recruited others to participate in Better Angels, an effort to depolarize politics. They have since rebranded as Braver Angels.
• Capital Caring Hospice, Volunteer, Supported people as they approached death, communicated with families, and assisted people in writing letters to their loved ones.

• School Board Organizer, Michigan Education Justice Coalition, Maintained a resource of school board members elected across the state, candidates running for school board, and resources to help them serve in their position. Developed trainings, resolutions, and letters for school board members dedicated to advancing equitable public schools. Organized phone banks for elections, bonds, and millages.
• Parent co-chair, Saline Area Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Reviewed and informed policies in Saline Area Schools. We were tasked with reading current policies, providing feedback, suggesting verbiage, and advocating for the best interests of marginalized students.
• President, Equality Loudoun, Community building for LGBTQ+ people in Loudoun County by organizing social activities, educating the public, and advocating for inclusive policies. We succeeded in LCPS by adding gender identity and sexual orientation to the policy and passing a statewide policy for transgender students. We initiated a book drive in 2019, which donated age-appropriate, LGBTQ-inclusive, and affirming books to 33 schools across LCPS.
• Democratic Primary Candidate, Virginia's 33rd Senate district, Created a campaign website, lit, and social media accounts while adhering to all campaign finance laws. Developed a campaign platform, received endorsements from local unions, and spoke with the press about the campaign. Raised over $18,000 through a grassroots campaign.
• President, Friends of the Sterling Library, Established the non-profit status for the Library support group for the Sterling Library. We created bylaws, established new policies, and recruited new members.
• Member, Loudoun County Public School Equity Committee, Reviewed and informed policies in Loudoun County schools. We were tasked with reading current policies, providing feedback, suggesting verbiage, and advocating for the best interests of marginalized students.
• Ambassador, Planned Parenthood of Metro DC, Attended events to share my personal healthcare story with policymakers, attended rallies to speak in support of funding for healthcare, and provided information about the services and resources available through Planned Parenthood.
• Board Member, Stomp Out the Silence, Promoted training and advocacy focused on ending the sexual abuse of children. Organized training opportunities for public and private youth-serving organizations. Successfully advocated for legislation in Virginia to educate children about sexual abuse. Featured as the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors' 'Voice for a Cause'.
• Chair, Sterling District Democrats, Motivated members to volunteer to remind people to vote through canvassing, texting, and phone banking. Organized meetings, social events, and actions like protests, rallies, and marches.
• Executive Board Member, Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Tasked with decision-making, problem-solving, event planning, fundraising, merchandising, increasing community engagement, increasing voter turnout, and electing Democrats. We accomplished unprecedented wins in 2017, 2018, and 2019.