New Trustees Join Board
SOMA Action is pleased and honored to announce the addition of three new trustees. There is a great deal to work for in the year(s) ahead including: voting rights, national and local elections, issues to protect the environment, racial justice, and so much more.
We know that Cathy, Erin, and Teddy will be instrumental as we continue our quest for progressive change.
Learn more about them below.
CATHY DE LA AGUILERA
“I became an activist because I believe in the power we have to interrupt oppression and injustice and shape our world for the better when we organize collectively. From the reality of climate change already upon us, to seeing white supremacists in the limelight and gaining momentum, there is so much at stake. We owe it to our children to do what we can now.”
Originally from Miami, Cathy de la Aguilera moved to South Orange from Brooklyn with her family in 2020. She has 17 years of experience in union and community organizing and is currently an Organizing Coordinator at SEIU 32BJ. Cathy is looking forward to connecting with other members of SOMA action in our fight for a more just world.
ERIN H. MAY
“It's important to me to be an activist because the times call for it, and I'm up for the challenge. Trump's 2016 victory made it clear to me our country was in deep trouble, and of course still is. I was born a fighter—a rebel with or without a cause—and activism comes naturally. Given my relative privilege in the world, I feel a sense of duty to fight for our collective future, especially for marginalized folks and my 2 young daughters.”
Erin May is an experienced marketing leader, working in tech. A lifelong progressive, Erin became more active in politics in 2016 following the election of Donald Trump, spending many 2018 weekends knocking on doors in NJ-07 for Malinowski. Propelled by the pandemic, she and her husband Dave moved from Brooklyn to Maplewood in July of 2020 with their two daughters, Stella (9) and Phoebe (5). Erin is thrilled to be joining the board of trustees for SOMA Action and to be part of this great community.
TEDDY AMES
“Activism is important to me because we have to stand up for the fair and just causes we believe in and fight for equality for all. It is also critically important for me to set an example for my 2 kids. After 2016, I was really struggling to find a way to channel my frustrations, and after moving to SOMA in 2017 I was then able to find this amazing and wonderful group that has provided so much guidance and showed me all about the dedication to the process that it takes to keep up the fight, and it will be something I will maintain for the rest of my life.”
Teddy grew up in Vermont and, after living in Manhattan and Queens for 15 years, moved to South Orange in December of 2017 with his wife Helen, daughter Sasha (11), and son Miles (7). An attorney by profession and musician by passion, Teddy is honored to be a new member of the SOMA Action Board and is ready to fight for expanded voting rights, gun control, reproductive rights, and all of the other right and just causes for which SOMA Action stands.