Pronouns: She/Her
Marie was born and raised in the southern plains of Colorado, a descendant of Chicanx farmworkers, land stewards, activists, and curanderas. Growing up in a rural farming community heavily impacted by poverty instilled in Marie the power and importance of resiliency. She earned her BA in Psychology and Gender Studies from the Metropolitan University of Denver in 2013. While a student, she organized with Slutwalk Denver, a transnational movement calling for an end to rape culture, including victim blaming and slut shaming of sexual assault victims. In her role, she helped amplify the voices of groups impacted by sexual violence including sex workers, formerly incarcerated people, and unhoused/displaced communities.
Marie’s grassroots fundraising experience includes developing digital and on-air fundraising campaigns for the independent news network Free Speech TV, counting Democracy Now! and Gay USA among the programming. Her commitment to Reproductive Justice brought her to the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR). While at COLOR Marie used transformational fundraising strategies, resulting in the highest-grossing fundraiser in COLOR’s herstory as well as COLOR’s first planned giving program. Through her passion for connecting people to causes through writing, she has produced fundraising content and helmed events for local political campaigns, Healthcare for All Colorado, and Curious Theatre Company. In 2018, Marie received an Outstanding Alumni award from Metropolitan State University’s Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy.
Creativity is a vital part of Marie’s life; she serves on the board of Art Students League of Denver and her (many) side hustles include boudoir photography, vintage re-sale, writing, event planning, and any activity that includes glitter.