Norma Seledon

Norma Seledon, a Mexican immigrant & Chicago resident, brings over 45 years of experience in grassroots and community development with a focus on gender equity, queer and youth leadership, education, violence prevention, and racial and environmental justice. She has worked with Chicago Public Schools, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, the Lesbian Community Cancer Project, and has co-directed Amigas Latinas. For 35 years, she has served as a non profit consultant, DEI trainer and has built leadership programs for women, youth, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Norma highly values first-voice storytelling as a tool for justice and healing. She has produced & emceed diverse storytelling spaces and integrates popular art and popular theater into her nonprofit work, using creative expression to affirm culture and lift community voices.

Currently the Director of Leadership Development at Equality Illinois, Norma was inducted into Chicago’s LGBTQ Hall of Fame in 2016. She holds a BS Loyola, an MA from Northeastern, and a PhD from National Louis University.