We at the Heartland Center for Jobs & Freedom, are deeply committed to justice for low-wage workers and we bring our many years of litigation and advocacy experience to bear in support of their movements for change.
Carol Smith, President
Carol is a life-long social justice advocate with a broad array of experience. Recently retired from United Way of Greater Kansas City, Carol spent the past two decades directing and advocating for programs and policies that fight poverty and create opportunity. Continuing this commitment to social and economic justice, Carol serves on the Missouri Coordinating Committee for the new Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. In the 1980’s, Carol played a critical regional role responding to the farm crisis, which devastated scores of Midwestern farmers. During that period, she worked with farmers, faith groups and others on behalf of the Jewish community to oppose the anti-Semitic and racist organizing that was exploiting the farmers' tragedies, and advocated for sound, sustainable policy solutions. Today, Carol is chair of the board of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center where she continues to advocate for progressive solutions to the challenges of family farmers and rural communities.
Pastor Donna Simon, Treasurer
Rev. Donna Simon is the pastor at Kansas City’s St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church. At St. Mark Hope and Peace, Pastor Donna puts her faith into practice by working for justice on many fronts. Not only does St. Mark Hope and Peace engage in feeding the hungry, its congregation asks why hunger exists and how to eliminate it. That is why Pastor Donna provided the critical support low-wage workers needed when they launched their campaign for $15 an hour and a union years ago. Pastor Donna continues to be a pillar in that movement today. Pastor Donna is also known for her work to raise the minimum wage and cap outlandish pay-day interest rates in Missouri.
Chekasha (Che) Ramsey, Secretary
Che Ramsey has been practicing law for nearly ten years. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer and civil rights advocate, she has dedicated her career to public service. Che began her legal career with the American Civil Liberties Union where she addressed cases involving constitutional violations. After law school, Che began working as a trial attorney with the Missouri State Public Defender System. She quickly became known as a staunch defender of constitutional rights, as she skillfully challenged unlawful searches and seizures, and other forms of police misconduct that arose in her cases. Today, Che has advanced to the Federal Public Defender system where she continues to vigorously advocate for justice and provide exceptional criminal defense.
Lois Swimmer, board member
Lois Swimmer is a member of the Lakota nation raised on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation in South Dakota. Lois has been a long-time advocate for racial and economic justice. Lois is active with the Poor People’s Campaign and has traveled twice to DC representing Missouri at national conferences. Lois is a leader and volunteer at Cherith Brooks Catholic Workers House where she mentors and advocates for homeless people.
Axel Fuentes, board member
Axel Fuentes is a long-time organizer with the Rural Community Workers Alliance in Mid-Missouri and a human rights champion in his native country of Guatemala. Axel’s organizing efforts focus primarily on the mostly-immigrant workforces of the meat processing and production plants in northern Missouri. Axel has led several campaigns and actions seeking to improve health and safety, wages and other conditions on the job.
Robert L. Swearingen, board member
Robert L. Swearingen has dedicated his legal career to public service. Rob presently works for Legal Aid in St. Louis. Since commencing work there in 2007, Rob has become known as an aggressive litigator who holds abusive car dealerships, finance companies, payday lenders, debt collectors and landlords accountable for violating the rights of low-income people. From 1991 to 2007 Rob represented autoworkers through the United Auto Workers’ legal services program. Rob has also worked for the Missouri Attorney General and the Missouri Public Defender System.
Quiema Spencer, board member in memoriam (January 26, 1979-May 31, 2024)
Quiema Spencer was a trailblazing pipefitter, union leader, and advocate for women in the trades. She was the first black women to be a member of the Pipefitters Local Union #533, and she was a leader in the statewide campaign to defeat “Right To Work” in Missouri.
Quiema was a mentor on the job, in her union, and to many family members and friends. She was president of the Heartland Women in Trades and a delegate to the annual Tradeswomen Build Nations conferences. She volunteered annually as an instructor in Camp NAWIC (National Association of Women In Construction), which is a weeklong summer program to encourage high school-aged women to consider an occupation in the building trades. She believed in using her skills to give back to the community, including volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the Veterans Community Project.
We represented Quiema and her wife in eviction court many years ago. She went on to buy a home after avoiding the wrongful eviction, but continued standing steadfastly by tenants. She had a calm and supportive presence and a lovely way of setting her audience at ease as she advocated for all the things she believed in, including the Heartland Center’s mission. She wanted all workers and tenants to have the good and decent lives they deserve. We will miss Quiema greatly; her passing is an incalculable loss. She leaves behind countless loved ones to carry her memory forward and continue her legacy, and we were honored to know her.