Bio
From fighting for reproductive healthcare to ensuring youth in all communities receive the education they deserve, Melissa is passionate about creating social change through legislative action, community action, and education. She believes the structures that govern America demand our constant attention in order to ensure they are serving the needs of all people, and she joined the ACLU-DE team to prioritize that work in our Delaware community.
Immediately after completing her graduate studies at Widener University in 2015, Melissa put her Master of Social Work and Master of Human Sexuality Education degrees to work at Planned Parenthood of Delaware (PPDE). During her tenure at PPDE, she worked on fundraising campaigns and volunteer programs to support and expand on the mission of reproductive freedom. In 2017, Melissa worked on efforts to codify Roe v. Wade as a contributor to the She Decides Delaware coalition including PPDE, ACLU of Delaware, and other community organizations. Melissa Connelly joined the ACLU of Delaware as Development Director in September 2020.
Throughout her life and career, she has been passionate about the work of bringing equity, access, and positivity to communities. That passion drives her work and inspires campaigns that connect with supporters and engage their desire for purpose. She is a mission-focused professional who strives for actionable impact through fundraising efforts, and is proud to be able to make that impact at ACLU-DE.
