Joanna Solmonsohn is the Downstate Organizer at the Empire State Pride Agenda. Joanna leads the Pride Agenda’s campaign for LGBT equality and justice on Long Island. In addition, she coordinates the Pride in My Workplace program which encourages workplaces throughout New York State to be free of discrimination and affirm the presence and contributions of their LGBT employees.

Joanna obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College where she focused on community organizing. She is a life-long resident of Long Island and has been deeply involved in issues affecting the LGBTQ community for over ten years.

Joanna has worked with LGBT youth at Pride for Youth in Bellmore, volunteered with the organizing and advocacy departments of the New York Civil Liberties Union and interned at the NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project where she facilitated the NYS LGBTQ Domestic Violence Network. Additionally, she worked in the research and organizing departments of SEIU 32BJ as part of the “Stand for Security” campaign team.

Joanna has presented on numerous topics including organizing in suburban communities, how to provide LGBT competent medical care, and best practices for creating LGBT inclusive workplaces.

She was the recipient of Outlook Magazine’s 2009 Activist of the Year Award for her work with the LGBT community on Long Island.

In July 2012, she married her partner, Liz Morena.