Val Benavidez to Leave TFN After Nearly Two Decades of Advancing Progressive Values and Expanding Youth Advocacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2024
CONTACT: Emily Witt (she/hers), [email protected]
AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Freedom Network (TFN) today announced President and Executive Director Val Benavidez will depart from her leadership role effective December 31, 2024, concluding an 18-year career with the organization. Benavidez became TFN’s fourth president and first Latina leader in 2020, overseeing the significant expansion of the organization’s advocacy efforts and youth engagement programs.
Under Benavidez’s leadership, TFN has grown into one of Texas’ most influential progressive organizations with programs active on more than 20 college campuses and partnerships across the state. The organization, founded by Cecile Richards in 1995, will mark its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Texas Freedom Network President Val Benavidez (she/her), issued the following statement:
“For almost two decades, I’ve proudly worked alongside my fierce colleagues, our dedicated Board, and our passionate supporters to cement Texas Freedom Network as the leading watchdog of the religious right in Texas. It has been my deep honor to be part of this work for 18 years and be the organization’s first Latina president. Together, we’ve organized young Texans, people of faith, grassroots activists, and underrepresented communities across the state — from city councils to the Texas Capitol, from local school boards to the State Board of Education — ensuring our voices are heard and our power is seen.
“As my time at Texas Freedom Network comes to a close, I know our relentless staff and supporters remain steadfast in building progressive power, empowering young activists, and centering communities of color in Texas’ political landscape. During my tenure, one of my proudest achievements has been creating our Texas Rising program, which has become one of the nation’s largest state-based programs focused on building the power of young activists. Our Just Texas program, which mobilizes people of faith for justice, reproductive freedom, and LGBTQIA+ equality also holds a special place in my heart as a cornerstone of our mission to defend true religious freedom.”
Emma Brockway (she/her), Co-Chair of the Texas Freedom Network Board of Directors, said board members continue to be inspired by the organization’s innovative and bold advocacy under Benavidez’s leadership.
“Texas Freedom Network is a force to be reckoned with, and so is Val. Val has empowered TFN to fight for public education, religious freedom, LGBTQIA+ equality, reproductive justice, voting rights, and the freedoms of Texans,” Brockway said. “It is no easy feat to helm a powerhouse like Texas Freedom Network. Yet, at the same time, Val championed collaboration in our movement and has always focused on our future. From leading the creation of our program Texas Rising and the Texas Youth Power Alliance to mentoring countless activists serving our partner organizations, there is no doubt that Val’s legacy will create a wave of change for decades. While we will miss her greatly, we cannot wait to see how she continues fighting for Texans.”
TFN and the TFN Education Fund have defended our democracy and protected our freedoms during Val’s 18-year tenure by:
- Establishing Texas Rising, which now has a presence on more than 20 college and university campuses around the state, organizing and expanding voter turnout among Texans — especially Texans of color — ages 18-29
- Fighting back and defeating voucher schemes that steal public dollars from students in our neighborhood public schools during every legislative session
- Evolving our work with progressive faith communities through our Just Texas program, supporting social justice, including reproductive freedom and LGBTQIA+ equality
- Conducting groundbreaking research on the quality of sex education in our public schools, science textbooks’ coverage of climate change and evolution, and Texas’ recent attempts to inject Bible curriculum into our public schools
- Advocating for our communities at the Texas Capitol and helping to mobilize thousands during the 88th legislative session to reject harmful bills that targeted our communities, especially LGBTQIA+ Texans
- Championing reproductive freedom in a post-Roe world by successfully fighting for abortion access protections at the local level in cities across Texas through the GRACE Act, as well as working alongside partners to re-establish Austin’s logistical abortion support fund
- Building our electoral power to endorse candidates who will put people before politics and fight for LGBTQIA+ Texans, public education, religious freedom, voting rights, and more
Under Val Benavidez’s leadership, Texas Freedom Network has been at the center of defending public education at the State Board of Education and the Texas Capitol, as well as expanded advocacy efforts across the state and in local communities.
“As I pass the torch to a new generation of leaders, know that I am forever yours in the fight,” Benavidez added. “I will always be part of our movement, and the movement will always be part of me.”
The TFN Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search process for the organization’s next president to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
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The Texas Freedom Network (tfn.org) is a grassroots organization of religious and community leaders and young Texans building an informed and effective movement for equality and social justice.
