We are devastated to share that our beloved Elizabeth Owens has passed away.

Elizabeth joined VOCAL-NY in 2010 as an outreach worker and soon became a full-time community organizer, where she built the power of our organization for the last decade.

If you’ve met Elizabeth you’ll remember her. She greeted you with a loud “thank you for coming to work today!” & gave you a big hug, never a handshake. She talked to everyone on the street or the subway, breaking the monotony of a commute to work w her infectious smile & laugh.

Elizabeth always showed up as her full self - a drug user, formerly homeless, “gay as hell” & a powerful advocate for her community. She was never afraid to be on the front lines of a protest & spent hrs knocking doors across the city to recruit & inspire ppl to join our fight.

She was particularly proud of She’s So VOCAL -- the women’s organizing project she dreamed up and ran for the last several years. She created a beautiful, affirming space for women in our organization to come together to strategize on campaigns, and to lift each other up.

She will be deeply missed and we will celebrate her life soon. We love you Elizabeth!