Who is Freedom Virginia?

Freedom Virginia is a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to ensuring a commonwealth where hardworking people have the freedom to thrive in an affordable and fair economy. Freedom Virginia advances economic security policies through grassroots activism, voter engagement, and legislative advocacy. Our efforts began in 2020, and since then, we’ve pushed for a more fair and affordable Virginia by sharing real stories about Virginians’ access to affordable health care, education, housing, and the need for policies that foster an economy where hardworking people can get ahead. To find out more about our issues, check out this page!

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Meet The Team

She / Her

Rhena Hicks

Co-Executive Director

rhicks@freedomva.org

He / Him

Ryan O'Toole

Co-Executive Director

rotoole@freedomva.org

He / Him

Eddie Seay

Organizing Director

eseay@freedomva.org

She / Her

Natalie Jones

Communications Director

njones@freedomva.org

She / They

Shinji Oh

Digital Manager

Soh@freedomva.org 

Who We're Fighting For

Tim Simmons

Retiree, Fairfax, Virginia

“I retired in Jan 2019 and within a short period realized that my little savings was being used to offset the rising cost of food, medications, and utilities,” said Tim Simmons, a retiree from Fairfax, Virginia. “Getting a part time job to offset the already high cost of living during the pandemic became a choice of survival or placing one life on the line. Such a decision is traumatizing in and of itself!  We continue to struggle from the wounds of this pandemic with no relief in sight. When will price gouging cease, and real help come?”

Brian Casey

Service Worker, Richmond, Virginia

“There’s a unique brand of shame that comes with working when we know we shouldn’t be. Working as a butcher in Northern Virginia, I remember processing local animals on the tail end of a rather acute cold. I, red-eyed and congested, was disgusted with myself and the quality of my work simply by my presence there in such a state. I cannot truly regret my choice, because it was made for me. I needed to pay rent.”

Josh Hayes

VCU student, Richmond, Virginia

“Virginia’s cost of living is not allowing young people to live. We can not have a successful  Virginia If we can not support our young adults. I don’t consider myself having a future in Virginia, which hurts because I love this state with my whole heart as it provides and offers so much. I grew up here, I’ve gone to college here, all of my connections are here—but in order for me to flourish as a person I can not stay, and I am not the only young person who is on this path.”
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