Last Thursday, October 16th, the ACLU of Vermont celebrated our 2025 Annual Meeting at the beautiful Barr Hill by Caledonia Spirits in Montpelier, and we are still energized by the incredible turnout and palpable community resilience.
The evening was a powerful convergence of celebration, community, and unwavering commitment to the crucial work of protecting civil liberties across our state.
A Powerful Testament to Commitment
We were thrilled and deeply honored to host our largest Annual Meeting attendance ever! Seeing so many passionate Vermonters—our members, partners, and friends—show up in support to defend our fundamental rights serves as a powerful testament that the fight for justice is vibrant and strong in Vermont.
The gathering provided a moment for reflection and shared vision. Our staff and board shared updates on the transformative work achieved this year, highlighting key legal victories and policy advancements.
We were honored to present the Andrea Warnke Civil Liberties Award to Jill Martin Diaz. Jill accepted the award on behalf of the network of volunteers and partners at the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP). The award recognizes Jill and VAAP's groundbreaking work to universalize access to immigration counsel in Vermont—a crucial effort in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all. We encourage those committed to the fight for justice to connect with VAAP: make a donation, sign up for their emails, and be on the lookout for ways to volunteer.
The energy and support in the room reaffirmed what we already know: the success of this work is entirely dependent on a dedicated, mobilized community. Every handshake, every conversation, and every shared moment underscored the importance of standing together as we challenge injustice and uphold the promise of liberty and equality.
Thank You to Our Generous Partners
Thank you to every member, donor, sponsor, and attendee for your steadfast support of the ACLU of Vermont. Your dedication powers our daily work, from legal battles and legislative lobbying to community education. This year’s Annual Meeting was our biggest and best yet, thanks to the profound generosity of our community partners and sponsors.
We extend our sincerest gratitude to the following businesses, who helped make the evening possible: The Alchemist, Babes Bar, Bear Pond Books, Ben & Jerry's Waterbury Scoop Shop, Biggam Fox Skinner, Dinse, 5th Quarter Butcher & Provisions, Gravel & Shea, Main Street Landing, Queen City Brewery, and Red Hen Baking Co.
The momentum from this year's Annual Meeting is undeniable. It reminds us that our work—and our community's commitment—must continue every day. We look forward to gathering with you again at the 2026 Annual Meeting to celebrate even greater victories, powered by the collective action we take starting now.
If you weren’t able to join us this year or want to take the next step in supporting our mission, we invite you to explore how you can take action and get involved. Your support is vital; you can also donate today to help us continue defending civil rights and core freedoms across Vermont.