Long-time progressive advocate to speak at Democratic luncheon
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Fri, 05/05/2023 - 5:12pm
Event Date:
May 8, 2023 - 1:00pm The featured speaker at Monday's Democratic luncheon will be Annette Magnus, outgoing Executive Director of Battle Born Progress and the Institute for a Progressive Nevada. For many years she has been as familiar a face around the halls of the legislature and as she has been on TV panel shows hosted by the likes of Sam Shad and Jon Ralston. At the luncheon she will provide an update on the status of bills being promoted or opposed by BBP during the 82nd legislative session.
The stated mission of Battle Born Progress, a 501(c)4, and the Institute for a Progressive Nevada, a 501(c)3, is to "empower, engage and mobilize Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed." BBP does this through its strategic communication efforts, while IPN educates the public on issues of public policy from a progressive point of view.
A Political Science graduate of UNLV, Annette Magnus become a familiar face throughout the state as an outspoken advocate for progressive causes. She has also served as Co-Chair of the Nevada Women's Lobby, a board member of Emerge Nevada, and Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada.
The following is from an April 3rd message Annette sent out to staff, friends and supporters...
You may have heard the news by now, but I wanted you to hear it from me directly too. I, who has been called ‘the Worst Person In Nevada’, is going to be leaving my post as Executive Director at my beloved BBP/IPN as of July 1, 2023.
Many have asked the why and the where. I want to be totally honest with you all, because I consider you as part of my extended family. I am taking a break and I could not be more happy and excited to take a step back so I can spend more time with my husband, and play with my dogs and tortoises. I have been at this for over 20 years and this year is my 10 year anniversary at these amazing organizations. However, decades of fighting hard for Nevadans comes at a cost. I am exhausted and I believe it is time for new energy to lead these incredible organizations into the future.
About a month ago, I decided, with Nick, that this was the path I wanted to take for our family. I am so excited for my future adventures in this state (you will never truly get rid of me). Our Boards of Directors and I have created a strong plan to find someone to take up the reins and become our next Executive Director. I will support that person and our team every step of the way! I hope you, will, too.
This is so bittersweet for me. Our team is the best part of my job. I have had the privilege to work with some of the most brilliant people I have ever met. Our team has become my family and they will always be able to count on me, because I love them to the moon and back.
I especially want to tell our Deputy Director, Maria-Teresa, just how much she means to me. She is more like a sister to me than a coworker and has been my ride-or-die through some of the hardest and best moments of my career. I will NEVER be able to repay her and our team for what they have done for me.
This has been the hardest job I have ever loved. I owe so much to all of you for always supporting me and our work. We have achieved so much together. From feeding people out of my garage during a pandemic to increasing access to voting rights, designating FOUR monuments, killing a voucher scheme, protecting access to abortion, raising the minimum wage, banning ghost guns and SO MUCH MORE. We are the progressive communications hub in Nevada and I am so proud to have yelled into the bullhorn, at lawmakers in committee, and on TV for and with all of you.
We still have three months together, but I wanted to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for all you have done. I am so proud of the work we continue to do together. Please continue to support these organizations’ work no matter who is leading the charge because I always will!
Sponsored by the Democratic Men's Committee, this event is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Monday, May 8th, and may be attended in person at Black Bear Diner, inside Max Casino, or online via Zoom.
Annette Magnus will take the floor after all the lunch orders have been taken, around 1:30. Those wishing to be on distribution for luncheon Zoom links should contact Rich Dunn at richdunn@aol.com.
