Tracy Lakatua: Making Change in Montana

Tracy LakatuaTracy Lakatua knows Montana’s progressive movement. From volunteering with Montana Women Vote to working on a racial justice campaign with YWCA Missoula, Tracy has a clear perspective on Montana’s unique challenges and opportunities and how they fit in with Social Justice Fund’s mission throughout the region.

Tracy is happy to explain one way Montana is unique: “We don’t like paying taxes, so there is no infrastructure for the social services that could move people out of poverty.” In addition, “Montana isn’t exactly a lightning rod for lots of progressive funding”—the state has largely been ignored by both foundations and corporate givers. Progressive non-profits have to struggle for every dollar of funding, and make it go a long way. Because of the small population, however, small groups can make a big difference. Tracy says, “When we get together we can create a critical mass with 12 people. We make a difference with few resources.”

Tracy was inspired to join Social Justice Fund because of its presence in Montana. She was first introduced to what was then ATR during a site visit at Montana Women Vote. She was inspired by the model of democratic philanthropy—“that I could become a member, and my contribution could leverage funding for all the wonderful progressive causes that SJF funds.” She specifically appreciates that we are able to bring some of those national and regional resources to Montana.

Tracy has been a member for four years. She feels that, “SJF is empowering the groups that they fund” and she appreciates that “members that give at any level get to participate in the process of granting.” SJF is doing more than giving grants, we’re “building a membership movement that creates a critical mass around poverty, racism, and sexism to create a better world in this region.”

In addition to taking part in site visits and serving on the Three-year Grants Committee, Tracy took part in SJF’s Courage to Lead cross-class dialogue. She got to take part in “critical leadership development in both a collective and personal way.”

Tracy has recently been elected as chair of the national YWCA. Their mission is to “empower women and eliminate racism.” She’s inspired that YWCAs across the country are stepping up to do more racial justice work. In Montana, they undertook a social marketing campaign talking about racism—specifically its impact on white people as agents of oppression. It included public service announcements and billboards. Tracy says that many people have called to say thank you. In particular, a tire shop that was identified as having charged a Native American woman for services that were provided to a white woman for free called to acknowledge that they had a problem and wanted to figure out how to address it.

Outside of her work with SJF and the YWCA, Tracy has 9-year-old son who she describes as “a budding social justice leader.” He goes to an international Spanish immersion school. Tracy appreciates this global environment where he is being educated in a “cooperative and peacemaking frame.” Hopefully he will be part of the next generation of Social Justice Fund members!