Kristen Herring

President · Austin N.O.W

Kristen Herring is the daughter of a Welsh/Dutch Father and a Lumbee/Scottish Mother, who grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago for 20 years before moving to Austin, Texas. She first became an advocate in early childhood when she was taught of the discrimination her Mother and other family members faced for being Lumbee and having brown skin in America. When Kristen was diagnosed with a “pre existing condition” before middle school and had no guarantee of insurance, she decided her purpose in life would be to heal, not only the trauma in her family, but also of Turtle Island and Mother Earth. Having been discouraged from becoming an activist, Kristen instead used her Indigenous culture to connect to others by telling stories. After 10 years of advocacy, she has since then become an activist and uses her social media platform to share Native stories that are ignored and erased in mainstream media and in the education system. After the first year of living in Austin, Kristen experienced an unhealthy pregnancy and found out just how difficult it is for Texans with a uterus to have full access to their bodily autonomy. She went through almost every anti abortion law in the state, despite the fact she was using abortion care to save her life, costing her $2,700 with only 4 days to pay (out of pocket). With the help of her family, she was able to get the care she needed, and since then has partnered with pro abortion care groups who share abortion care stories. Kristen has been a caretaker for over 15 years, from working with infants and children to dementia care, and has been volunteering for Texas N.O.W for a year and a half. With the collected help of her team, Vice President Alexia Emuze, and a few Board Members, Kristen was able to successfully convene a new chapter in Texas called Austin N.O.W. As President, Kristen is leading her chapter more progressively with the focus on decolonization, which ultimately means coexisting and respecting Sovereign Nations and Treaties while intersectionality fighting for liberty, equity, & protection for all People and Mother Earth. Kristen enjoys writing screenplays and children’s books, acting, dancing, and enjoys spending time with her family, her People, and friends.

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