Commission Chair - Yvonne Lopez Morton

Yvonne Lopez Morton is the Associate Editor of The Fig Tree in Spokane, Washington. She is the former chair of the Washington Commission on Hispanic Affairs and a past president of the Spokane Hispanic Business Professional Association (HBPA). Yvonne currently serves on the Spokane County Civil Service Commission, Women Helping Women Fund and Leadership Spokane boards and the Washington State University Spokane President’s Advisory Board.

Recipient of the 2010 YWCA Spokane Women of Achievement’s Carl Maxey Racial Justice Award, Yvonne’s other involvement includes Rotary 21, Spokane Minority Advisory and Resource Team and the Washington State University NEW Women’s Leadership Team.

Yvonne, in partnership with other multi-cultural community leaders, is committed to encouraging dialogues that result in identifying the challenges and the needs and expectations relating to the minority and marginalized communities. In addition, she is passionate about showcasing diverse cultures and bringing the entire community together in celebration.

Born and raised in New Mexico, Yvonne is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and has lived in Eastern Washington for 26 years. She has been married to her husband Bob for 40 years and has a grown son who lives in the Seattle area. Her term expires June 2015.

Commissioner - Deborah Sioux Lee of Olympia

Deborah was appointed to the Human Rights Commission in December 2004. Before moving to the South Puget Sound area, Deborah resided in Seattle for more than twenty-years. In Seattle, Deborah served as Chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission and as a Key Communicator for the interim Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. Currently Deborah works for the Nisqually Indian Tribe, is co-Chair of the I'Wa'Sil Boys-and-Girls Club of Seattle, serves on the board for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and is co-founder and Board President of the Washington Indian Civil Rights Commission. Her term expires June 2013.

Commissioner - Shawn Murinko of Olympia

Shawn Murinko was appointed to the Washington State Human Rights Commission in July 2006 by Governor Christine Gregoire. He is originally from Spokane and currently resides in the Olympia area. Most of his career has focused on disability rights issues. Currently, Shawn works for the State of Washington to ensure transportation equality for persons with disabilities.  He is also the current Chair of the Washington Attorneys with Disabilities group. His term expires July 2011.

Commissioner - Charlene Strong of Seattle

Charlene Strong was appointed to the Washington State Human Rights Commission in January, 2009.  After the death of her partner Kate Fleming she became a tireless advocate of marriage and same-sex equality.  Her work for this issue brought her to speak before the Washington State legislature a little more than a month after Kate’s death.  Her testimony helped pass landmark domestic partnership legislation in the state of Washington.  Charlene maintains a close working relationship with Equal Rights Washington (ERW).

Charlene’s past involvement, focused in the LBGT community, was with the Human Society’s Pet Project, who provided HIV/AIDS patients with help and care for their pets.  Charlene designed and managed their veterinary clinic to insure pet care and wellness visits.  She also implemented an intake committee to access candidate needs.  She also worked with the Archdiocese of Seattle on an LGBT task force dedicated to improving acceptance and understanding within the Archdiocese of LGBT parishioners.

Before dedicating her life to same-sex marriage equality, Charlene worked in the dental field for over 20 years.  She pursued a degree in interior design. She is a longtime resident of Seattle. Her Term expires June 2012.