La'Tasha Mayes

Latasha Mayes was born in Fort Riley, Kansas. Mayes earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 and an M.S. in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University in 2005. Her career experience includes founding New Voices for Reproductive Justice and working as its CEO; as a consultant; in a family law clinic at the YWCA; for a county government's Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise; and as a trainer and educator at the Center for Victims. Mayes has been affiliated with New Voices Action, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the JUDAH Fellowship, and Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a passionate local, statewide, and national leader with over 22 years of experience and service to the Greater Pittsburgh Region and I am most known for my social justice activism and policy advocacy as Founder, President & CEO of New Voices for Reproductive Justice which I founded with three dynamic Black women - Bekezela Mguni, Maria Dautruche, and Lois “Toni” McClendon - in Pittsburgh in 2004. I have spent every day I have lived in Pittsburgh since 1999 working for social justice and making a difference in this community.

I am the daughter of a giant - my Mother Charlotte D. Stroud, a single Mother, an Army veteran, food service worker, and UNITEHERE union member from whom I inherited my deep-rooted thirst for justice. My Mother passed away in January 2018 and this unspeakable loss has changed the trajectory of my life - giving me strength, power, and purpose like I have never known.

I am running to disrupt politics as usual by being who I am, by asserting my candidacy into a political landscape that would rather me be silent, and by bringing a fresh voice and bold vision to Harrisburg.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am a long-time community organizer and public servant at heart and I am running to disrupt politics as usual. I am running to unapologetically advocate and advance racial, gender and economic justice.I am running to disrupt politics as usual by being who I am, by asserting my candidacy into a political landscape that would rather me be silent and by bringing a fresh voice and bold vision to Harrisburg.I am running because the fight to defend Reproductive Justice, Roe v. Wade and abortion access is in Harrisburg, the fight to protect our most unprotected communities including our youth, LGBTQ+ and elderly is in Harrisburg and the fight of our generation to protect our environment for all people is in Harrisburg!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Racial Justice

Gender Justice

Reproductive Justice

Economic Justice

Environmental Justice

LGBTQ+ Rights

Healthcare Access

Ending Mass Incarceration

Electoral Justice

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Shirley Chisholm

Alma Speed Fox

My Mother

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Book: Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice written by Loretta J. Ross, Elena Gutiérrez, Marlene Gerber Fried, and Joel Silliman

Film: Shirley Chisholm ‘72: Unbought and Unbossed directed by Shola Lync

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a skilled leader, passionate orator, and I have a proven track record of passing bills at the state, local, and federal level through my work in the field of reproductive justice.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember was watching the Clarence Thomas hearings and the allegations of sexual harassment brought by Anita Hill in 1991 - I was 10 years old watching it at home because I had strep throat.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was the summer before my senior year of high school. I worked as a cashier at Kentucky Fried Chicken and I had this job for about a year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Color Purple by Alice Walker is my favorite book because it is an American classic of a Black woman, Black family, and Black community existing in a segregated Jim Crow South that highlights the intersectional impact of racism, sexism, and socioeconomic control. It is a story of survival and triumph. The Color Purple has remedies for life even in the present day.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Amazing by Mary J. Blige featuring DJ Khaled

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It's beneficial to build relationships with other legislators in order to further collaboration between electeds in order to maximize the positive impacts for our constituents.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Aging & Older Adult Services, Environmental Resources & Energy, Health, Human Services, Urban Affairs, Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I deeply admire the work that Stacey Abrams did during her time in the Georgia State Legislature and am thankful for her continued commitment to fighting for voting rights. I want to emulate her commitment to the movement while also fighting for real, practical change.