People who are committed to ending the human rights abuses faced by sex workers come to SWOP and other organizations in our rights-based movement from many different communities and with many different passions. Each month, we profile an activist who is making a difference in local communities, regionally and/or on the national stage. SWOP is a forum for sex workers from all parts of the trade and for allies who have not been sex workers and who want to support struggles for change. Anyone can make a difference and join our struggle for sex workers rights and we embrace all people who wish to join us. Reading these profiles of activists who are making a difference will hopefully make you feel that you can join us and make a difference too.

In 2010 we had the chance to interview two new additions to the SWOP board of directors. Cris Sardina the co-founder of the Women’s ReEntry Network and current co-coordinator of the Desiree Alliance shared how she connected with the sex worker movement via the first Desiree Alliance conference in 2006 and discussed her commitment to social justice and inclusion. Liz Coplen joined the board in 2010 and took up the role of Board Chair in August, 2010 after she had completed her international journey representing US sex workers at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna. “On a personal level,” said Liz, “I joined the SWOP Board because I am really passionate about human rights as a whole, more specifically sex worker rights. I am really bothered that sex workers are stigmatized and face violence and oppression. This has to change and I want to be part of that change nationally in the United States.”