who we are
our council
Meet the visionaries behind our movement.
Nina Wita Laboy
Meditation Practitioner, Teacher
Email (Coming soon)
Nina’s life work is dedicated to her own and others(r)evolution as a human. As a dedicated member or Turtle Women Rising, she has helped manage and participated in historic TWR events around the country engaging others in supporting veterans, peace activism and indigenous wisdom.
For over 45 years, Nina Laboy has also shared and gained this wisdom through working in collaboration with others on issues of human justice. Nina is dedicated to exploring spiritual evolution through her practice and teaching of Vipassana Buddhist Mindful Meditation in the ways of Thich Nhat Hanh and S.N. Goenka among other Buddhist Ancestor and contemporary Masters. In the mid ‘90s Nina became an original member of the Seattle People of Color and Allies Sangha and now sits and studies with elders of its Crone Sangha and is a Dharma Leader with the Seattle Insight Meditation Society.
Her work and volunteer life experiences include an eclectic variety of skills, education and adventure.
Nina began as a middle school teacher of ESL, Drama, and Creative Writing in the South Bronx, she entered the world of youth development; managing a consortium of alternative youth services in New York City. After moving west in 1996, Nina became the Director of Youth Employment and Education for the City of Seattle. She moved on as a director of programs for American Friends Service Committee, international Quaker organization. Her work focused on humanitarian aid, social justice, undoing racism, gender rights and peace building.
Another important aspect of Nina‘s life is her activism and performance resume. Nina joined former Young Lord’s in the founding of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and has led campaigns exposing police brutality and racial bias crimes and environmental injustice. She’s a founding member of The South Bronx Clean Air organized in holding polluters and regulators accountable. Nina is an accomplished singer of Nueva Cancion, Latin Jazz and the American songbook. She is an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. Wita is grandma to eight, great grandmother of 5, mother of 4, all precious Ones. Nina is of Taino, African, and Spanish heritage.
DR. JODY E. NOÉ, MS, ND
Naturopathic Physician, Ethnobotanist
Email (Coming soon)
Dr. Jody E. Noé has been providing comprehensive naturopathic care since 1995, focusing on Integrative Oncology, HIV/AIDS, and chronic disease management. She emphasizes holistic healing, integrating mind, body, and spirit, and believes in active patient participation.
Dr. Noé earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Ethnobotany from Old Dominion University, with a focus on traditional Cherokee medicine. She practices traditional medicine as taught by her Cherokee elders, incorporating plants, earth, air, water, and fire, along with rituals and prayers.
Dr. Noé has served as adjunct faculty at several institutions, including the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, Quinnipiac University, and Bastyr University. She is a founding member of the Botanical Medicine Academy and has held leadership roles in the Oklahoma and Vermont Associations of Naturopathic Physicians.
Passionate about teaching, Dr. Noé continues to educate future practitioners at herb schools and conferences nationwide. She was accepted as an apprentice in 1987 by Crosslin F. Smith, a high medicine priest of the Keetoowah, and has been studying and practicing under his guidance for over four decades. Additionally, she was mentored by eastern Cherokee elders, including Goingback and Mary U. Chiltoskey, "Mama" Geneva Jackson, and Amy Walker.
Dr. Noé’s traditional medicine practice honors the spirit in all living things, using ancient rituals like the sacred "Stomp Dance" to foster healing and connection with the Great Spirit of the universe. She integrates this traditional approach with her naturopathic practice, providing a unique and deeply rooted method of care.
Ayotunde
Peer Support Specialist, Change Agent
twrayotunde27@gmail.com
With over 45 years of dedication as a community activist and a veteran, Ayotunde has tirelessly worked to make a positive impact. A Master Barber for 40 years, she has supported young women in juvenile detention and children in the foster care system, with a focus on helping them build self-esteem and self-worth. In recent years, her focus has shifted towards social justice and sovereignty for Black and Indigenous people, addressing crucial issues such as education, healthcare, criminal justice, housing, and generational mental health.
Ayotunde believes that living in a country that sets global standards means there should be no hunger or lack of basic necessities. Her work is driven by the conviction that everyone has the right to live with dignity and opportunity. Her ongoing commitment is to fight for a more equitable and just society, ensuring future generations inherit a world where their rights are respected, and their needs are met. Ayotunde believes when you live in a country that sets the standards for the rest of the world, there should be no hunger or lack of any kind, and everyone has the right to live.
patricia "sea wytch" gallagher
Cultural Interpreter, Direct Action Activist, Birth & Death Doula
Email (Coming soon)
I am dedicated to the path of women's empowerment.
In 1988, I formed a weekly women's circle —a diverse group of women supporting each other in women's liberation and empowerment. Dissatisfied with power over dynamics, we unified to learn and grow the skills of cooperation.
Since then, I have been a teacher, community co-founder, direct action activist, founder of 2 worker-based collectives, wildcrafter, herbalist, parent, birth and death doula...
It is my commitment to use the power of word in service to the sovereignty of women. Healing those who came before us and the generations to come. It is my commitment to steward the rights and unity of all women, reclaiming our birthrights.
We are all born of women...And together we can birth a future grounded in peace, stewardship, and inter-dependance.
Rev. Elaine Mayumi Whitefeather
Author, Voice Artist, Teacher
twrelaine1133@gmail.com
In the winter season of my life, I am honored to offer service to our Greater Sisterhood—at such a time as this. After spending over 4 decades serving women and children around our Mother Earth, I leave behind a path of advocacy, activism, and innovative ways of healing and empowering women rooted in the strengths, wisdom, and principles of my multicultural heritage, the Red, Black, Yellow and White Winds of me that enabled me to walk in the shoes of many women whose journey through and out of abuse and trauma, I share. My life’s work has been shaped by the hearts and spirits of women, who honored me with trust and vulnerability as I assisted them toward their own empowerment and emancipation. As a Queer Elder of many colors, I walk and live, love and thrive with the Grace, Wisdom, and ongoing guidance of our Star Ancestors; the Wisdom passed onto me from Above and the medicine I have gained from the many teachers from all paths that have led me to my own wholeness and peace. I am grateful to offer their messages to us all through the books that I am asked to write, the voice I still have to speak it into the winds, and the spirit that still burns with the fire and passion of one who seeks to contribute to a new journey, a better dream for all women and consequently, for all our Human Tribe. The urgency of the moment, the world that is at the precipice of a grand transformation has called me to join the hearts and hands of my sisters, who also find themselves being called to act in this NOW moment. Whatever I can do, whatever I can offer, is my giveaway at this important time. There can be no greater call for me to answer in this season of my life. The Next generations and those yet to be born require us all to help each other through the fear and intimidation of the Fear Callers’ Dark Night of our Collective Soul and to collectively light the way toward the world all women deserve to live in-Free in Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit. Emancipated to own and to be herself; and sovereign enough to be a light in the darkness for another sister, that she too, can be free.
eli paintedcrow
Founder of TWR, Peace Activist, Author
twrpaintedcrow@gmail.com
Eli, from the Yaqui Nation in Tucson, Arizona, is a 22-year retired Army veteran. Her last tour in Iraq profoundly changed her, inspiring her to advocate for peace, unity, and the healing of Mother Earth. As a mother of two sons, both disabled veterans, and a grandmother of eight, she deeply understands the impact of military service. Living in the Central Valley of California, Eli's work focuses on helping women remember their sovereignty and purpose. A ceremonialist elder, she facilitates healing circles, sharing Indigenous wisdom and promoting balance with our planet. With experience as a soldier, social worker, and counselor, Eli supports those committed to positive change.
