Danielle Walker New ACLU-WV Executive Director

Del. Danielle Walker, the outspoken Monongalia County Democrat, will give up her legislative seat and her position as vice chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party to lead the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia.

Walker said her forte in leadership begins with being an active listener.

“And after you listen, you put out a call to action,” Walker said. “That can be uncomfortable and it can take some time and building, but it’s definitely doable.”

She says an initial priority will be to make the unaware in West Virginia understand how the ACLU-WV can help people to help themselves. 

“ACLU has done some wonderful things and is still doing wonderful things in our state,” Walker said. “But we also have some pockets regionally, where some folks don’t even know the mission of ACLU. And so those are the target areas that we’re going to look towards.” 

Walker explained what sustaining civil liberties means to her.  

“It means making sure that the Constitution is represented and protected for all West Virginians and all that are travelers passing through West Virginia,” She said. “I’m talking about laborers, children, elders, disabled people, women, LGBTQ community, people of color, black people, that’s exactly what it means.”

Republican Gov. Jim Justice will appoint a Democrat from Monongalia County to serve the remainder of Walker’s term, which includes a full legislative session. The county Democratic executive committee can submit recommendations.

Walker begins her duties on April 17th, succeeding interim executive director Eli Bramwell.