Meet a staffer: FFRF development director is a human rights advocate
Name: Angela West Blank.
Where and when I was born: Macomb, Ill. (in the region of “Forgottonia”). It’s fitting that I was born there, as the name “Forgottonia” represents a protest of inequalities in that area of the state — and I’ve spent the better part of my career fighting against inequality. (I was raised in the Quad Cities, spent 20 years in Chicago, and moved to Wisconsin in 2007.)
Examples: In the mid-1990s, I served as president of the Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women, where I started the organization’s first Economic Justice Committee. I also acted as development director for the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness and as executive director for Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County. After moving from Chicago to Wisconsin, I spent nearly 14 years as director of strategic development with Wisconsin Conservation Voters, an affiliate of LCV National. During my tenure, I helped support the organization’s work to elect conservation leaders and pass pro-conservation legislation to protect Wisconsin’s environment. I also played a key role in supporting the launch of our Wisconsin Native Vote program. Most recently, I served as executive director with Groundswell Conservancy, where I was a strong proponent of our equitable access to land programming.
Education: B.S. in business administration and marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an M.A. in International Studies from DePaul University.
Family: I am married to Steve Blank, a marriage and family therapist. We have a son, Lew, who works remotely in Madison as communications manager for Data for Progress, based in Washington, D.C.
How I came to work at FFRF: I care deeply about human rights. The rise in Christian nationalism and its prominence in the Trump administration and our local communities has led to such egregious levels of discrimination against immigrants, women, people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups that the nation I love has become almost unrecognizable. I am saddened and infuriated, but, at the same time, I believe strongly in the power of people to effect positive change in their communities. There is hope.
I also strongly agree with FFRF that the first to speak out for prison reform, humane treatment for the mentally ill, the abolition of capital punishment, women’s right to vote, death with dignity for the terminally ill, an end to slavery, and the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion were freethinkers. I am a freethinker and am proud to play a role in supporting our mission at this critical time.
I will be attending the convention in Milwaukee and am excited about meeting our members and supporters.
What I do here: I’m the organization’s first director of development. I am in charge of strategic fundraising leadership, donor and estate planning cultivation and stewardship, and development operations and team management.
What my goals for this job are: My job is to build the current development program and to give our members and supporters opportunities to support our crucial work to protect and promote freethought and our First Amendment. Importantly, I’m looking forward to getting to know our members, what they care about most, and how they want to leave a legacy for future generations.
I spend a lot of time thinking about: Democracy. Human rights. Freethought. The future of our nation.
I spend little if any time thinking about: How I compare to others — especially on social media.
My religious upbringing was: My parents were union teachers. My family attended the local Methodist church until my brother and I were confirmed. In confirmation class, I remember our pastor turning red in the face when I brought up the contradictions I noticed in the bible and when I objected to how women were treated in its pages. His response was that I just had to “have faith.” My parents also objected to how wealthy congregants were given special treatment, while they were asked to teach Sunday school (i.e., work on their days off). Since then, I’ve never joined a church, though when my son was young, our family attended Third Unitarian Church in Chicago, where the pastor was an atheist.
Things I like: Running, biking, hiking and adventure racing with my son. Films: art, comedy and mystery. I almost always know “whodunnit” within the first 30 minutes. Music: Motown, jazz and disco (because it’s funny and so danceable). Food: Barbecue, ice cream, popcorn. Sports! My husband, son and two collies.
Things I smite: Fascism. Inequity. Unfairness. Hypocrisy. Racism.
In my golden years: I kind of think I’m already in my golden years! At any rate, I want to do things that are meaningful to me, like working with FFRF. I want to spend time with my family and connect with people I know and meet along the way (in positive ways). Life is short, so let’s make it count. Carpe diem!
Editor’s note: If you are considering FFRF in your estate planning or would like to make a donation to FFRF, contact Angela at developmentdirector@ffrf.org or call 800-335-4021 or 608-256-8900.
