Momma bear, lotus flower, lifelong public servant, lover of squirrels. Her career used to be her life. Now her family gives her life. Her work and volunteerism fill her soul.

Chris Gosses is the President of Rainbow Pride of WV. For two years, Chris served as Vice President of Rainbow Pride of WV and worked to promote the organization's mission of creating change through social engagement and visibility, educational programming, community involvement and events. In 2015, Rainbow Pride of WV awarded Chris the Power of One Award which recognizes individuals who make a positive contribution to the lives of LGBTQ West Virginians.

Artist, advocate, and entrepreneur Crystal Good uses poetry and performance to explore the landscape of Appalachia as a lens into the universe. She is a member of the Affrilachian Poets, an Irene McKinney scholar, and performs with Heroes Are Gang Leaders, a New York-based Free/Avant-Garde experimental improvisation ensemble. She is the author of “Valley Girl” and is working on her second collection of poetry.

Ellen Allen is a mother, wife, daughter, and lifelong activist who seeks justice for all through her work as Executive Director of West Virginia’s Covenant House.

Margaret Chapman Pomponio is Executive Director of WV FREE, a reproductive health, rights, and justice organization that works every day to for West Virginia women and families to improve education on reproductive options, increase access to affordable birth control, reduce teen pregnancy, improve adolescent health and protect personal decision-making, including the decision of whether or when to have a child.

Shayla Leftridge was born and raised in Oakland, California. She was raised by three loving parents: a stepfather who is a retired teacher, a mother who is also a retired teacher and vice principal, and a father who is a retired Oakland motorcycle police officer. Her family has deep roots in activism and social justice. Today, she lives in West Virginia where she is heavily involved in social activism and a professional vocalist in the vibrant local music scene.

Rev. Kayla was the Contract Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charleston, West Virginia. Today, she’s the Minister of Congregational Life at All Souls Unitarian in Indianapolis, Indiana. She believes we are all connected, and that our task here is to repair the breaks that keep us from ourselves, one another, Spirit, and a just world.

Valerie Woody is a space nerd, humanist, atheist, feminist, queer transgender lesbian, polamorous, writer, activist, and professional troublemaker.