Two alumni of UFE’s Grassroots Organizing School of Alabama (GOSA) were recently selected to participate in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) Advocacy Institute in Alabama. 

Iralda Hernández, part of the GOSA 2023 cohort, and Aurora Sanchez, from GOSA 2024, worked together to develop and present a campaign in support of making voter registration automatic in Alabama.

Through SPLC’s Advocacy Institute, Iralda and Aurora are accessing practical, hands-on experience and training in the field of advocacy – adding to the organizing training that UFE and GOSA provided and continuing their leadership development. Their campaign was one of four chosen projects, securing seed funding of $10,000 to fuel their efforts. 

The campaign to make voter registration automatic in Alabama

Iralda and Aurora will do an education campaign about community participation and voting in several Alabama communities. Then, they will find a way to propose Automatic Voter Registration at the legislative session. 

GOSA gave these two leaders the tools and resolve to “do something" together. Both women share a love for youth and our future. They recognize that voting can shape investment in education, infrastructure, and healthcare — all essential elements of economic stability. And they know that Alabama has a history of targeting people of color with proposals, most every year, for unjust policies that penalize people based on their immigration status, gender identity, or income level. They want to build community power to make change.

GOSA is nurturing the grassroots leadership Alabama needs

Iralda and Aurora embody the dedication and passion that defines UFE’s Grassroots Organizing School of Alabama (GOSA) program. 

At GOSA, we believe in nurturing changemakers who are equipped not only with knowledge but also with the courage to challenge inequities and advocate for meaningful reforms. GOSA equips grassroots groups led by Black and Brown organizers with the tools and knowledge to advocate for fair pay, workers' rights, and address critical community needs such as education, healthcare, and housing.

Each cohort undergoes a year of intensive bilingual training sessions, fostering a deep understanding of economic structures that perpetuate inequities faced by Black and Brown workers. Participants like Iralda and Aurora not only learn from each other's experiences but also develop essential skills in group facilitation and community organizing using popular education methodologies.

When participants graduate from GOSA, they receive ongoing mentoring from UFE’s Director of Inclusive Economies-South, Ana Delia Espino. Ana Delia supports emerging organizers as they identify community priorities, partner with community-based organizations, and step into leadership positions. Ana Delia will work closely with Iralda and Aurora during and beyond their time as participants in SPLC’s Advocacy Institute,. I will help them develop their community outreach plans agendas and I will support them in developing activities that are engaging to their  target audience. 

Onward!

Iralda and Aurora's journey exemplifies the transformative power of grassroots organizing and serves as an inspiration to all who strive for equity and justice. We are proud to highlight their inspiring journeys as two remarkable leaders who exemplify the spirit of community-driven change.  Being selected for SPLC’s Advocacy Institute is a meaningful recognition of their efforts, and underscores the impact of grassroots leadership in driving systemic change and creating a more just society.

Together, with Iralda, Aurora, and all GOSA participants — who continue to amplify community voices and build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive — we are paving the way for a more equitable Alabama.

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