Dr. Miranda Johnson-Haddad: President
Dr. Miranda Johnson-Haddad (she/hers) is a theater consultant and educator based in Pasadena, CA. She has taught at Howard University, UCLA, Vassar College, and Yale University. She holds a BA in Comparative Literature from Princeton University and a PhD in Renaissance Studies from Yale University. Dr. Johnson-Haddad is the daughter of Nan Johnson, a founding member of the Friends of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and a lifelong advocate for women’s rights.
Mia Coles
Mia L. Coles is a preventative health educator and advocate in the Finger Lakes, dedicated to building stronger, healthier communities. With a passion for community engagement and equity, she connects health, history, and human
Brianna Milon
Brianna Milon is a communications professional and community advocate based in Rochester, New York. She currently serves as the Communications Manager for the Police Accountability Board (PAB).
A graduate of SUNY Brockport, Brianna has also participated in the PRIDE Leadership Development Program, where she was selected as Class Leader and served as a Board Observer for the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes.
Whether in her role as a communications leader, writer, or advocate, Brianna is dedicated to amplifying voices, advancing equity, and creating space for authentic community dialogue.
Christine Dorward: Treasurer
Christine Dorward, CPA (she/her/hers) is an Auditor for RDG & Partners, PLLC. She received her B.S. in Accounting from Nazareth College in 2015 and her M.S. in Business Analytics from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2021.
She is actively motivated by social issues such as gender inequality, refugee resettlement and racial injustice. She aligns herself with organizations and programs that reflect her current values in these areas.
Emily McCarter
Emily McCarter (she/her/hers) proudly served as president of the Friends of Women’s Rights NHP between May 2015 and May 2025. McCarter is a Spanish teacher in Upstate New York; she is passionate about women’s rights, gender equity, and school based efforts to prevent bullying based on gender, sexual orientation, identity, race, and disability
Elizabeth Belanger
Dr. Elizabeth Belanger is a Professor of American Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she teaches courses on urban geography, women’s history, and civic engagement. She lives in Geneva, NY, with her family.
Lucinda Finley
Lucinda Finley is the Raichle Professor of Law at The University at Buffalo Law School (SUNY), where she teaches and writes in the areas of tort law, women and the law, and First Amendment free speech. Her published articles include an assessment of how Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s ideas about gender equality informed the drafting of the Equal Protection clause of the14th Amendment to the US Constitution. She was a participant in Forum’98, an event held in conjunction with the Women’s Rights National Historical Park to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1848 Declaration of Sentiments, and to draft a new Declaration for the 21st century. She has a JD degree from Columbia University Law School, and a BA from Barnard College.
Sara Varhus
Sara Varhus, a Past President of the Board of Directors, served for a decade as a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical
Park. She is retired Vice President for Academic Affairs at Nazareth College; prior to that she was a faculty member and administrator at SUNY at Oswego. She lives in Pittsford, New York.
Brandi Taylor
Brandi Taylor is a passionate teacher at Geneva High School, where she serves as staff advisor to the Social Justice Club. She holds a New York State teacher certification in English Language Arts, having received her B.A. in English and Africana Studies and her M.A. in Teaching from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Brandi is a co-creator of the On.The.Dot. Initiative of Kenya, a menstrual health program that provides classes on gender-based violence, self-defense, and sexual and reproductive health. With a robust background in community activism and education, Brandi brings a wealth of experience and passion for women’s empowerment, education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to the Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park.
April Hall: Vice-President
April Hall, RN, BSN (she/her/hers), is a Managed Services Specialist at Cortex Health, and resides in Geneva, NY with her family. With a background in nursing, she is committed to community engagement, improving patient outcomes, and fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace.
Carol A. Griffith: Secretary
Carol Griffith received her MSW from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work and her BA from the State University of New York at Empire State College. Carol has been a government employee for more than 40 years. She currently serves as Patient Advocate at the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. Carol has served as New York State’s President of American Association of University Women, and she is a founding member of the Friends’ Buffalo/Niagara Chapter.
Ronna Smith
Ronna Smith has spent her life working hard, raising her family, and standing up for what is right. She broke barriers as a machinist at the Seneca Army Depot and later served her community as a health inspector for the New York State Department of Health. Her strength, compassion, and belief in equality have guided her throughout her life. She is proud to join the Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park and support its important work.
Renee Grant
Renée Grant is an accomplished higher education professional with nearly 20 years of experience supporting college students. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she has advanced initiatives promoting student safety, inclusion, and academic success. A proud graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey with an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Rowan University, Renée has built her career in student affairs and intercultural engagement, from housing roles at Ramapo, Rowan, and LIM College to her longstanding leadership at HWS. Deeply committed to her community, she has served on the Geneva City School Board, the Child and Family Resources Board, and the Geneva 2030 Advisory Board. Originally from Brooklyn, Renée draws inspiration from her family’s roots in education, balancing her professional work with her most important role as a dedicated mother.
Marilyn Tedeschi: Board Member Emerita
Marilyn is the Vice President of the Woman’s Institute for Leadership and Learning (WILL) in Seneca Falls, NY. She is currently President of the Perkins Mansion, Inc. and Public Policy Director of the Greater Rochester Area AAUW.