The Changemakers

“This book captures the best stories of the individuals and challenges the Commission on the Status of Women faced in its early years. As a young woman, I was asked to chair the commission. Tasia Young, as director, skillfully guided me through the landmines of legislation and kept us focused on helping women in their toughest times. The stories in this book remind us of how much and sometimes how little progress we have made for women.” – Diane Denish, first woman lieutenant governor of New Mexico“There are few things more empowering in this age of political turmoil, than to read a history of New Mexico and learn that early leaders fought hard for suffrage and equal rights. Tasia’s telling of their stories in the larger pursuit of fair representation for women in politics is inspiring. The echoes of their commitment and struggle reverberate today as New Mexico boasts of being a state with women well-represented in key positions of local, state and congressional offices.” – Stephanie Garcia Richard, first elected female New Mexico Land Commissioner“In this world we are blessed with Changemakers who commit their lives, guided by their core values, with love, respect, compassion, courage, innovation, and activism. Tasia has provided us with her own lifetime of public service, sharing with us those who contributed to transforming our world and who epitomize and exemplify the saying that a purposeful life is a life in the service of others. This book is a celebration of those Changermakers who are contributing to improving the quality of life and leaving this world a better place than they found it.” – Regis Pecos, former governor of Cochiti Pueblo and director of the Leadership Institute“Ms. Young’s firsthand account of the enactment and implementation of the Equal Rights Amendment in the New Mexico Constitution weaves together the inspiring stories of a diverse cast of characters whose efforts coalesced toward making New Mexico a land of equality.” – Arne Leonard, civil rights attorney

Tasia Young worked as a lobbyist for the New Mexico Association of Counties from 1987 to 2018 and served as an analyst for the New Mexico legislature’s House Tax Committee from 2021 to 2025. She resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.