Dear Progressive Maryland Family,
It saddens me to share with you that our dear comrade Gabi Sevilla has passed away. This hits our team hard as Gabi was a dear member and leader within our organization and a proud fighter for justice for the most vulnerable people in our state and throughout the country.
Gabi Sevilla was a beloved member of Progressive Maryland's first ever MPLI class, our Maryland People's Leadership Institute that trains community advocates interested in running for office or running campaigns. She also served on the Board of Progressive Maryland for the past two years.
We were struck from the minute we met her by her compassion for marginalized people in our communities. She had a laser focus on serving and supporting some of the most vulnerable folks in our state and region. She carried this focus and passion as she represented the organization in front of elected leaders and spoke eloquently and effectively about the needs of the poorest in our state. Her own life story is one of struggle, beauty and tenacity. She was a Jersey girl, not going to be stopped from meeting her goals and making a contribution to our movement. She was also a proud Howard Law alum, graduating with numerous honors and recognition during her time in law school. We recall a lot of cheering for Jersey and HBCUs in our MPLI sessions.
Gabi leaves behind many memories. We will always remember her loving spirit and warm smile as well as her commitment to fighting for justice. Her fierce advocacy and community work have touched many people in our state and throughout the country. Even as her time with us may have been more brief than we all hoped, Gabi has left a legacy that matters, one in which she served others and made an impact in the world that will extend beyond her life. We should all hope to live a life of purpose as Gabi did and hope to leave a positive impact on others.
We will be in touch with updates on ways we will be celebrating Gabi’s life and honoring her legacy by supporting causes she believed in soon. Please contact Karen Guzman to be a part of planning a memorial event. To learn more about Gabi please read the article written about her passing and learn more about her work here.
My warmest regards,
Larry Stafford
Executive Director
