By: Felicia Martin, Executive Director of TFN
April 16 marked 100 days since I stepped into the role of President and Executive Director at the Texas Freedom Network. A hundred days of listening, learning, grieving, strategizing—and most of all, fighting.
I walked into this role with reverence for the legacy of this organization. For 30 years, TFN has positioned itself in the gap for Texans when our lawmakers refused to. We’ve defended public schools from censorship and privatization. We’ve advocated unapologetically for reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA+ rights, and the separation of church and state. We’ve made space for young people, faith leaders, and everyday Texans to rise up and reclaim their power.
But these last 100 days have made one thing clear: the attacks are escalating, and the stakes are higher than ever.
At the Capitol, in fact, on my 100th day, we fought against SB2—a cruel school voucher scheme dressed up as opportunity. It passed. Despite overwhelming opposition from advocates, educators, parents, and students, the Governor and his allies forced it through, diverting public funds away from our already-underfunded public schools. Our team showed up relentlessly—rallying, testifying, organizing—and though we didn’t win this round, we made damn sure they knew we were there.
And then, during what should have been a solemn moment of respect, far-right lawmakers desecrated the memory of Cecile Richards, our founder and one of the fiercest champions for reproductive rights this country has ever known. They tried to erase her, in the very year we lost her, and in the year we celebrate TFN’s 30th anniversary. But let me be clear: their stunt said more about their own fear than it did about her legacy. Cecile’s power lives on—in every person who can access reproductive care because of her work, in every young organizer who refuses to be silenced, and in every one of us who believes in a Texas rooted in freedom, dignity, and justice.
These 100 days have also been about building—because resistance alone is not enough.
We’ve restructured our executive team to bring clarity, transparency, and accountability. We’ve elevated a Chief of Data, Impact, and Digital Strategy to ensure we’re not just doing the work—we’re measuring it, sharing it, and learning from it. We’re strengthening our internal systems, building a workplace culture rooted in equity and care, and anchoring our collective bargaining process in values that reflect our shared vision.
We’ve started to chart a new path—one that centers our people, invests in our base, and makes space for experimentation, strategy, and soul.
And while we grieve what’s been lost—leaders like Cecile, and recent policy fights—we are not broken. We are awake. We are clear-eyed about what we’re up against, and even clearer about the future we’re fighting for.
I didn’t come to TFN to play it safe. I came to help usher in our next era—with bold vision, unwavering integrity, and a fire that won’t dim. The road ahead will require us to make hard, sometimes uncomfortable decisions as we chart a path toward long-term sustainability. But we will meet those moments with clarity, courage, and a deep commitment to grace and dignity—because that’s what this movement deserves.
To our staff: thank you for showing up every single day with brilliance, purpose, and heart.
To our board: thank you for your trust, your vision, and your partnership.
To our partners and supporters: thank you for believing that change in Texas isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.
The next 100 days will demand even more from us. But if these first 100 have taught me anything, it’s this: We were made for this moment. Let’s rise.
