The Human Rights Commission is composed of five members appointed by the Governor. The Commissioners provide policy direction for the agency, adopt agency regulations, and make the final determination on all complaints investigated by staff. The Commissioners meet monthly at locations around the state.
The commissioners can be reached via the Commission Clerk using the following: Commissioners
*please note that all e-mail sent to the above account goes to the Commission Clerk who then processes the e-mail on behalf of the Commissioners.
Yvonne Lopez Morton is a Project Assistant for Spokane Public Safe School's, Healthy Students Initiative and supervises several after school programs. She is the former chair of the Washington Commission on Hispanic Affairs and immediate past president of the Spokane Hispanic Business Professional Association (HBPA). Yvonne currently serves on the Spokane County Civil Service Commission and the boards of United Way of Spokane County, the Washington State Association for Multicultural Education, Women Helping Women Fund, Hispanic Business Professional Association Foundation, and Leadership Spokane.
Other community involvement includes the Lands Council, Spokane Women's Coalition, Rotary 21, Fig Tree, Spokane Minority Advisory and Resource Team, Agnes Kehoe Progressive Alliance, American Red Cross Development Committee, Transitions Development Committee, Eastern Washington University's Alumni Magazine and Women's Studies advisory committees, and the HBPA mentorship program.
Yvonne, in partnership with other multi-cultural community leaders, is committed to encouraging dialogues that result in identifying the challenges and the needs and expectations relating to the minority and marginalized communities. In addition, she is passionate about showcasing diverse cultures and bringing the entire community together in celebration. Born and raised in New Mexico, Yvonne is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and has lived in Eastern Washington for 23 years. She has been married to her husband Bob for 37 years and has a grown son who lives in the Seattle area. Her term expires June 2010.
Deborah was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in December 2004. Before moving to the South Puget Sound area, Deborah resided in Seattle for more than twenty-years. In Seattle, Deborah served as Chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission and as a Key Communicator for the interim Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. Currently Deborah works for the Nisqually Indian Tribe, is co-Chair of the I'Wa'Sil Boys-and-Girls Club of Seattle, serves on the board for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and is co-founder and Board President of the Washington Indian Civil Rights Commission. Her term expires June 2013.
Shawn Murinko was appointed to the Washington State Human Rights Commission in July 2006 by Governor Christine Gregoire. He is originally from Spokane and currently resides in the Olympia area. Most of his career has focused on disability rights issues. Currently, Shawn works for the State of Washington to ensure transportation equality for persons with disabilities. He is also the current Chair of the Washington Attorneys with Disabilities group. His term expires July 2011.
Charlene Strong was appointed to the Washington State Human Rights Commission in January, 2009. After the death of her partner Kate Fleming she became a tireless advocate of marriage and same-sex equality. Her work for this issue brought her to speak before the Washington State legislature a little more than a month after Kate’s death. Her testimony helped pass landmark domestic partnership legislation in the state of Washington. Charlene maintains a close working relationship with Equal Rights Washington (ERW).
Charlene’s past involvement, focused in the LBGT community, was with the Human Society’s Pet Project, who provided HIV/AIDS patients with help and care for their pets. Charlene designed and managed their veterinary clinic to insure pet care and wellness visits. She also implemented an intake committee to access candidate needs. She also worked with the Archdiocese of Seattle on an LGBT task force dedicated to improving acceptance and understanding within the Archdiocese of LGBT parishioners.
Before dedicating her life to same-sex marriage equality, Charlene worked in the dental field for over 20 years. She pursued a degree in interior design. She is a longtime resident of Seattle. Her Term expires June 2012.
Vanessa Gaston is the Director for Clark County Community Services, which administers grants, contracts and programs for mental health, alcohol and drug treatment, developmental disability, youth services, weatherization and rehab, housing and homeless programs for Clark County. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director for Clark County Social Service Department in Nevada where she was responsible to oversee all of the County’s social service programs for a growing diverse population of 1.8 million people. Her past experience includes serving as the President and CEO of the Urban League of Portland. She worked 12 years in Washington State Government working for DSHS and the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs. She also completed a 3-year tour in Germany serving in the U.S. Army as a legal specialist. Ms. Gaston has an extensive background in working and serving on state-wide and local community boards and commissions dealing with various social service, employment and educational issues. She was appointed and served on Oregon's State Board of Education. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Council for the Homeless and WIN211 and is a member of Washington State Association of Counties and Washington State Association for Community Action Agencies. Ms. Gaston has a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Education and Social Policy Administration from the University of Washington. Her term expires June 2014.
To obtain this information in an alternate format or if you have questions or comments about this site, please contact the Webmaster. PRIVACY NOTICE |
 |