FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2010
CONTACT:
Brandon Hensler, Director of Communications, (786) 363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
TAMPA, Fla. – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida announces the appointment of Joyce Hamilton Henry, Ph.D. as the Director of the ACLU’s newly consolidated Mid-Florida Regional Office based in Tampa. In her new position, Hamilton Henry will work to protect civil liberties in a 16-county region spanning the middle section of Florida from Daytona Beach to Tampa.
“The ACLU is one of the most important organizations in the country right now and I’m honored to be here in Florida working to protect civil rights and civil liberties throughout the middle part of the state,” said Hamilton Henry. “I look forward to getting to know the Tampa Bay area and to continuing the work in the Central region. We have made great progress, but many challenges lie ahead. Along with our wonderful volunteers and the rest of the ACLU staff, we’ll continue working hard to defend the rights of all Floridians.”
Hamilton Henry previously served as the ACLU of Florida’s Central Region Office Director in Orlando. The two offices recently merged as the result of ongoing efforts to reduce costs during these difficult economic times. Although Hamilton Henry will be based in Tampa, she will continue to work throughout the middle part of the state, including the central region, where she successfully rebuilt what had been a faltering volunteer chapter in Greater Orlando.
“This merger reflects an enhanced commitment to protect civil liberties throughout Florida,” said Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU of Florida. “We’re fortunate to have someone as talented as Joyce serving in this crucial role as we increase our statewide presence and our ability to defend civil liberties in every corner of our vast state. Joyce is the right woman for this job and we look forward to the great things to be accomplished in her region.”
Before joining the ACLU in 2008, Hamilton Henry was the Director of DemocracyWorks, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in Hartford, Connecticut dedicated to removing the barriers that limited full participation in the democratic process among low income, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and youth. She was also the Director of the Office of Multicultural Programs at the University of Hartford, where she developed and implemented programs to assist with the recruitment and retention of students of color and to address broader issues of diversity and inclusion on the college campus. For twenty years, Hamilton Henry was an Adjunct Professor of African American Studies at the University of Hartford, and is known nationally and internationally for her contributions in the field of social work. In June 2001, she was the recipient of the National Association of Social Workers (Connecticut Chapter) Social Worker of the Year Award.
Hamilton Henry received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Social Work degree from the University ff Connecticut School of Social Work and a doctorate degree from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. She recently published a book titled No One Asked Us: The Under-representation of African Americans and Latinos on Local Boards and Commissions.
About the ACLU of Florida
The ACLU of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our web site at: www.aclufl.org.
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