Ray’s daughter has spent her entire career fighting for people who often have no one else to fight for them. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) specialist for the State of Minnesota, she worked every day to support individuals facing discrimination and social disadvantage. She poured her heart, her expertise, and her work ethic into helping others feel seen, respected, and protected.

Recently, she was abruptly and wrongfully fired amid a political climate that has become increasingly hostile toward DEI work. The official claim was “insubordination,” based on an allegation that she improperly ended a Microsoft Teams call with her supervisor. In reality, she was never instructed to stay on the call, and there was no misconduct. She was also accused of “violent behavior,” despite the fact that all of her interactions with leadership occurred virtually. These accusations are not only false — they are deeply damaging to someone who has built her entire career on professionalism, compassion, and integrity. This sudden termination has left her without income while she urgently searches for new employment. She lives alone in her apartment with her dog, Butter, and is doing everything she can to stay stable during this unexpected crisis. She is a consummate workaholic, someone who has always shown up for others, and now she needs a community to show up for her.

Your donation will help her cover essential expenses while she gets back on her feet, including rent, utilities, groceries, job-search expenses, and emergency needs for her and her dog, Butter. Every contribution — no matter the amount — helps her stay housed, safe, and supported while she works to rebuild after this unjust setback.

A Message From Our Family: My daughter has dedicated her life to helping people who needed an advocate. She has stood up for fairness, dignity, and inclusion. Now, she needs a little help herself. Your kindness, your shares, and your support mean more than you know. My wife and I are both retired and living on a fixed income, and as a permanently and totally disabled veteran, it is incredibly difficult to watch my daughter go through this without being able to give her the support she deserves. Anyone who can contribute to her relief would not only be helping her through an unjust and painful moment — it would also be a powerful reminder that my years of service meant something, and that we still live in a community that looks out for one another. Thank you for standing with her during this difficult moment.