ACLU Appoints Michigan Affiliate Head Kary L. Moss to National Senior Leadership Team

NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union has appointed Kary L. Moss as its Director of Affiliate Support & Nationwide Initiatives. Moss has served as the Executive Director of the ACLU of Michigan for twenty years.

“The ACLU’s greatest strength is its network of 54 state affiliates, the 1,100+ staff who work out of the state offices, and the partnerships affiliates cultivate with community activists,” said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU executive director. “Kary’s experience leading groundbreaking civil liberties legal and advocacy work in Michigan uniquely positions her to provide support and resources to all ACLU affiliates nationwide. As we continue to confront the unprecedented assault on civil liberties in the era of Trump, we need strong synergy and coordination among all of the ACLU offices across the country more than ever.”

Under her leadership, Moss built the ACLU of Michigan into one of the strongest and most impactful ACLU affiliates. Among other achievements, Moss and her team uncovered the Flint water crisis and continues to advocate for those affected by it, and have been playing an anchor role in Promote the Vote, a ballot measure campaign to expand the right to vote. The Michigan affiliate has also distinguished leadership role on issues affecting African American, Latino, LGBTQ, immigrant and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities.

“I am forever grateful and appreciative to have had the fortune to work at the ACLU of Michigan with people who bring compassion, brilliance, and heart to their work every day,” said Kary Moss. “I know that our sister affiliates in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are devoted to protecting civil liberties and civil rights of everyone in America, and I am honored to assume a position that will empower and elevate their work as an integral part of the nationwide ACLU’s mission.”

In her new position, Moss will lead a department whose staff members develop and implement initiatives and programs that strengthen and maintain the connections between the ACLU and its 54 affiliates as a cohesive nationwide organization. She and her staff will help the affiliates to advance the ACLU’s state and federal litigation and advocacy works, build their capacity, and help ensure the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is furthered across the country. She will also lead efforts to share knowledge, talent, and skill across the organization, building the next generation of civil rights leaders and position the organization for future challenges.

During her time as Executive Director of the ACLU of Michigan, Moss served as the chair of the ACLU’s Executive Directors’ Council, a leadership body of all state offices. Moss also received numerous awards including Michiganian of the Year from the Detroit News in 2017; the Ida Thurtell award from the NAACP Detroit Branch; Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women; and the State Bar’s Champion of Justice. The organization and its staff have received recognition from dozens of institutions during Moss’ tenure. Moss began her career as a staff attorney at the ACLU national office’ Women’s Rights Project, which was founded by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Moss is to succeed Geri Rozanski, who is retiring after 16 years of leading the the ACLU’s Affiliate Support program. Rozanski was instrumental in spearheading the ACLU’s efforts to strengthen, expand ,and invest in the affiliate network.

”Geri has transformed the ACLU in her tenure,” added Romero. “Our affiliates are stronger, larger, more impactful than ever before, and the nationwide ACLU is now a mighty armada because of Geri’s vision, energy and dedication. I am sure that the focus on building the power of our nationwide network will continue with Kary at the helm of our Affiliate Support & Nationwide Initiatives department.”