Our Mission
The Eleanor’s Legacy Action Fund was founded in 2004 by Hon. Judith Hope, with a mission to preserve the memory and ideals of one of America’s greatest First Ladies and one of New York State’s outstanding political leaders.
We provide unique training and voter education opportunities to the women of New York.
The Action Fund is a project of the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee.
“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JULIE SHIROISHI
Julie Shiroishi, Eleanor’s Legacy’s Executive Director, began her career in newspaper and book publishing, including as Director of Advertising and Promotions at Viking/Penguin Books. In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, Shiroishi joined her local Democratic committee and became an active participant. That volunteer work led her to become chief of staff to NYS Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104), and later Chair of the Dutchess County Democratic Committee. In 2022, Shiroishi ran for the New York State Senate, District 39, in the Hudson Valley, becoming the first AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) woman to run for the state legislature outside of NYC. She currently serves as a Vice Chair of the NYS Democratic Committee. A working mom, Shiroishi is committed to preserving democracy, our environment, and reproductive freedoms for future generations as well as to honor her late father, who was a Japanese American internee during World War II. Originally from California, where she earned a BA in English from the University of California, Berkeley, Shiroishi has lived in New York since 1997 and currently resides in Beacon.
POLITICAL DIRECTOR
ABIGAIL MARTIN
Abigail Martin, Eleanor’s Legacy’s Political Director, began her career in advocacy social work in the Bronx Family Court, where she witnessed the impact governmental policy has on families. Martin also taught social work at Columbia University, Fordham University, and Montclair State University. Inspired by the governmental response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in her neighborhood, Martin began a career transition that led her to run for New York City Council in 2021 and District Leader in 2022. At The New Majority NYC, Abigail drove the candidate endorsement process and founded its Young Leadership Council. Most recently, Abigail served as the organization’s Interim Director. A working mom of three, Martin is committed to preserving democracy and the reproductive freedoms of future generations of women. Originally from Maine, Abigail has lived in New York since 1999, when she enrolled at Skidmore College. Abigail currently resides in the northwest Bronx, with her children and spouse.
Board of Directors
Donna Zaccaro
Suzy Ballantyne
M. Tracey Brooks
Antonia Stolper