The
Constance Baker Motley
Award Luncheon
October 21st, 2026 | 12:00 PM
Bristol Event Center, 112 Century Dr., Bristol, CT 06010
Each year, She Leads Justice gathers advocates, community leaders, and changemakers from across Connecticut for our signature annual fundraiser: The Constance Baker Motley Award Luncheon.
Named in honor of trailblazer Judge Constance Baker Motley, this luncheon celebrates women who are transforming Connecticut and advancing justice in the spirit of her legacy. To see the powerful stories and community that shaped last year’s celebration, view our 2025 Program Book here.
Gretchen Raffa
2026 Constance Baker Motley Award Honoree
As Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Planned Parenthood Votes! CT and Planned Parenthood Votes! RI, Gretchen has dedicated her career to advancing reproductive freedom and expanding access to health care across Connecticut and Rhode Island. She leads legislative strategy, coalition work, and advocacy efforts that directly impact the lives of women and families across our region.
At a time when Planned Parenthood and reproductive health providers are facing escalating attacks, honoring Gretchen is also an act of solidarity. It is a recognition that reproductive rights are not separate from economic security. They are central to it.
The ability to decide if and when to have children, to access care, and to live with dignity and autonomy are foundational to women’s economic security. Gretchen’s leadership reflects the very spirit of the Constance Baker Motley Award: advancing justice, breaking barriers, and creating pathways forward.
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Tashieanna O’Connor
2026 Pamela Ellman Award Honoree
Tashieanna O’Connor is part of our Women’s Wisdom Circle, where she builds solidarity with women from across Connecticut to fight for women’s economic justice.
When Tashieanna opened up her Waterbury childcare center, she called it “Tick Tock Around the Clock” and decided to keep it open 24 hours for parents who work nights. She sees firsthand how these parents struggle to pay for everything from childcare, rent, mortgage, and health insurance, because their wages don’t match the cost of living.
When she testifies at the legislature for affordable childcare, the Child Tax Credit, and more, she puts the stories of these parents front and center.
At rallies and Women’s Wisdom Circles, Tashieanna is a constant presence, urging her sisters to come together — whether immigrant or citizen, Black or white, no matter what language they speak or what zip code they live in.
Annual Gathering for Justice | Why This Luncheon Matters
The proceeds from The Constance Baker Motley Award Luncheon go directly toward providing free legal education and referral services to women across Connecticut.
Through our statewide program, we ensure that women, particularly women of color and women living with low incomes, have access to the information, tools, and support they need to navigate systems that were not designed with them in mind.
By joining us, you are not only honoring women changing Connecticut, you are helping ensure that our legal and policy systems work for the women who rely on them most.
Made Possible Thanks To Our Sponsors
The Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Anne Stanback & Charlotte Kinlock
West Hartford Pride
Connecticut Women's Consortium
Each year, She Leads Justice gathers advocates, community leaders, and changemakers from across Connecticut for our signature annual fundraiser: the Constance Baker Motley Award Luncheon.
Named in honor of trailblazer Constance Baker Motley — the first Black woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court and the first Black woman appointed to the federal judiciary — this luncheon celebrates women who are transforming Connecticut and advancing justice in the spirit of her legacy.
But this event is more than a celebration.
It is a powerful moment to invest in the work ahead.
The Bristol Event Center
To sponsor this year’s event, host a table, or volunteer on the Event Committee, please contact Joshua Claudio at jclaudio@sheleadsjustice.org.
The 2025 Constance Baker Motley Award
Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba became the 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe on August 15, 2010, and is the first female Chief in the tribe’s modern history. The position is a lifetime appointment made by the Tribe’s Council of Elders.
Prior to becoming Chief, she served as Chairwoman of the Tribal Council, and served in Tribal Government as Executive Director of Health and Human Services. Preceding her work for the for the Mohegan Tribe, Lynn had a lengthy career as a registered nurse ultimately as the Director of Cardiology and Pulmonary Services at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.
Lynn was appointed by President Biden and served as the 45th Treasurer of the United States from 2022-2024.
Prior to her current role, she served as the United South and Eastern Tribes Board of Directors Secretary. She formerly served as Chairwoman of the Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee of the Federal Indian Health Service (IHS), a member of the Justice Department’s Tribal Nations Leadership Council, a member of the Tribal Advisory Committee for the National Institute of Health, a member of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee and a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Center for Indian Country Development Leadership Council.
She published “The Effects of Sequestration on Indian Health Funding” in the Hastings Center Report, Nov-Dec. 2013 and authored two chapters in “American Indian Health and Nursing” Ed. Margaret P. Moss, Springer Publishing Company.