Virginia Kase Solomón has spent three decades fighting for social justice and civil rights. In 2024, she joined the Common Cause as our new President and CEO. Here are five things you need to know about her:

1. Virginia is an Organizer at Heart 

Virginia’s activism started in her early 20’s when she co-founded a youth-led nonprofit in her hometown of Hartford, Connecticut. Motivated by her desire to create a positive change in her community, she organized youth to fight for employment and educational opportunities.

2. Virginia’s Leadership Transformed the League of Women Voters

Before joining Common Cause, Virginia was the CEO of the League of Women Voters. From 2018 through 2024, she led the 104-year-old organization through rapid transformation and growth, focusing on building power through advocacy, legislation, expanded litigation, and organizing efforts to ensure voting rights for all.

Through strategic planning and a dedicated focus on the mission, Virginia successfully tripled the organization’s budget and staff and increased membership by more than 30% nationally, growing its impact in the democracy movement. 

3. Virginia Helped Pass the Maryland Dream Act

Virginia played a vital role in passing the 2012 Maryland Dream Act, which allows undocumented immigrants and Maryland high school graduates to pay in-state tuition rates. This was a huge victory for Maryland’s immigrant community. 

Virginia helped pass the Maryland Dream Act while serving as the Chief Operating Officer of CASA, a grassroots, Latino, and immigrant rights organization with over 100,000 members. At CASA, she also shaped legislative strategy and electoral programs at the state level.

4. Virginia is a Celebrated Democracy Advocate

Virginia has testified before Congress multiple times, appeared in the most influential newspapers and magazines, and won numerous awards for her powerful advocacy.

In 2019, she received the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award for Leadership and was named one of People en Español’s Most Powerful Women of the Year in 2020. In 2022 and 2023, Washingtonian Magazine named her one of the 500 Most Influential People in Washington.

5. Virginia Has a Bold Vision for Common Cause’s Future 

Virginia is committed to building a stronger and more inclusive Common Cause. She knows that in order to build a democracy that works for all of us, this movement must include all of us. As our new President, Virginia is eager to empower young people with the tools they need to lead. 

“Very few people have the opportunity to stand in history and make a difference. We’ve been chosen to stand in this challenging moment,” Virginia said. “Corporations and special interests can try to take our rights, but we are going to work together and make it right by speaking truth to power. We’re here to hold power accountable.”

You can follow her work on Twitter at @kasevirginia. 

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