FIGHT FIRE WITH F.I.R.E.
Texas Freedom Network
Annual Report 2025
Letter
from the President
It is my profound honor to step into the role of Executive Director and President of the Texas Freedom Network at this pivotal time in our history. For 30 years, Texas Freedom Network has been the firewall against extremism in Texas. Our relentless team is experienced in defending religious freedom, protecting public education, and unwavering when those in power try to erase our communities from classrooms and public life.
As I take the helm, I am building on the path laid out by the visionary leaders who have built this organization into the force it is today. Their legacy of bold resistance and strategic organizing laid the foundation for what comes next. And in 2025, we’re accelerating that momentum. We’re organizing not just to defend, but to build the power we need to win.
It’s no secret that we are facing a heavily funded, Christian nationalist agenda that seeks to silence our youth, criminalize our identities, and weaponize religion to justify hate. Governor Greg Abbott and his far-right allies have turned our public schools into battlegrounds, censored our libraries, banned gender-affirming care, and done everything possible to suppress our vote.
They underestimated us. They always have.
Because while they attack, we organize. We build. And we’re taking back power.
When extremists try to force their narrow ideology into our classrooms, our grassroots network shows up loud, organized, and unafraid. When voter suppression policies become law, our Texas Rising students register their peers and support new young leaders to run for office. Our progressive faith leaders reclaim the faith narrative, speaking boldly about reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA+ rights, and true separation of church and state.
As we chart our course for the next several years, we’re implementing our FIRE framework – our strategic approach to Fight for Democracy, Inspire Leaders, Reclaim the Narrative, and Embolden the Ecosystem. This isn’t about winning issue by issue;
it’s about moving Texas structurally toward a more just and equitable future.
We’re not waiting for permission. We’re no longer playing defense. We’re organizing boldly, leading bravely, and building a Texas that centers justice, dignity, and freedom for all.
After 30 years, we’re just getting started.
Thank you for being part of this fight.
We can not do this work without you.
Onward,
This is our moment.
And we're coming in hot.
Felicia Martin
President,
Texas Freedom Network
Texas Freedom Network mourns the loss of our founder, Cecile Richards, who passed away on January 20, 2025.
In 1995, Cecile attended a Texas State Board of Education meeting that would change the course of progressive organizing in our state. Shocked by the religious right’s growing influence on public education, she slid a napkin to a friend with the note, “It’s worse than I ever imagined.” One month later, the Texas Freedom Network was born.
Cecile didn’t just see a problem; she built a solution. She created an organizing home for thousands of grassroots activists across Texas. What started as a response to one alarming meeting became three decades – and counting – of defending democracy, championing reproductive freedom, and building progressive power in the Lone Star State.
A vision Born from Outrage
Cecile Richards was a civil rights champion whose impact stretched across movements and generations. She founded America Votes in 2004 to coordinate progressive organizing and mobilize voters. As President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 2006 to 2018, she expanded healthcare access for millions while facing relentless attacks on reproductive freedom. Under her leadership, Planned Parenthood joined The Leadership Conference coalition, working alongside the broader civil and human rights community.
She served on the Ford Foundation’s board of trustees from 2010 to 2022, advancing human welfare and protecting democratic values. In 2019, she co-founded Supermajority to build an intergenerational, multiracial movement for gender equity. Even as her health declined, Cecile co-founded Abortion in America to amplify the stories of people affected by abortion bans, and Charley to provide resources to those seeking care.
Cecile’s heart and drive to do good knew no bounds.
In November 2024, President Biden awarded Cecile the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, recognizing her lifetime of service advancing workers’ dignity, women’s equality, and the right to vote.
A Civil Rights Powerhouse
building Power through F.I.R.E.
For 30 years, Texas Freedom has defended public education, acted as a watchdog to far-right extremism, and advocated for the rights of all Texans. But we know defense alone won’t get us to where we need to go.
2025 has been a year of deep reflection, ambitious visioning and strategic planning. Through that process, we’ve developed four bold strategic pillars—F.I.R.E.—that will guide how we measure success, deploy resources, and build the power we need to transform Texas for the next decade and beyond.
These pillars aren’t just about what we do; they’re how we win. Each represents a critical pathway to shifting who holds power in our state, and together, they form the foundation of a movement built to last. We’re going to fight fire with F.I.R.E.
We’re combating extremism, disinformation, and religious coercion through civic education, youth engagement, political advocacy, and coalition organizing.
FIGHT for Democracy
While the Texas Legislature debated mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, TFN organized a powerful coalition of interfaith leaders to fight back and declare: Public Schools ≠ Sunday Schools!
TFN launched a statewide campaign to celebrate Texas public schools and counter pro-voucher rhetoric. Through digital storytelling, we collected and amplified powerful testimonials about how public schools serve as the heart of their communities. TFN volunteers then delivered hundreds of stories directly to legislators, making it clear that Texans demand fully funded, honest education for every child.
We’re developing, training, and equipping the next generation of Texans—especially youth, faith leaders, and grassroots organizers—to become trusted civil leaders and public champions of justice, equity, and truth.
INSPIRE and Empower Civic Leaders
Our annual Camp Texas Rising convened 72 organizers, from across the state for two days of advanced leadership development, political education, and skill-building focused on basebuilding and criminal justice reform.
The Texas Rising Action team celebrated a historic win when Ric Galvan became the first Texas Rising Action-endorsed alumni candidate to win elected office. From high school senior in our program to city council member, Ric’s victory demonstrates the power of investing in young leaders and proves that when young people organize, run for office, and vote, we can change Texas politics.
We’re shifting public understanding of democracy, freedom, education, and faith by challenging extremism and amplifying values-based, data-informed stories and research that unify communities and assert our vision of an inclusive democracy.
RECLAIM
THE NARRATIVE
TFN co-hosted the first-ever National Religious Freedom in Public Schools Summit, bringing together 150 advocates from across the country to protect the separation of church and state in public education. Our team led sessions highlighting lessons from Texas and mobilizing young people as defenders of religious freedom for all students.
Through our Just Texas program, we hosted “Abortion and Faith in Action” workshops, bringing together people of faith to reclaim the narrative on reproductive freedom. Attendees gained tools to share their own stories, engage in community conversations, and challenge the stigma around abortion in faith communities.
EMBOLDEN
a Sustainable Movement
We’re building long-term progressive power by collaborating with grassroots partners, strengthening coalitions, and aligning narrative and strategy to transform systems.
When Trump pressured Texas leaders to force an unconstitutional redistricting, TFN joined the Texas for All Coalition to mobilize resistance. We helped organize a National Day of Action with a rally at the Texas Capitol, coordinating buses from across the state to bring people into the movement and protect fair representation and our democracy.
Our Advocacy Day brought Texas Rising, Just Texas, and TFN advocates to the Capitol for legislative training and direct lobbying, with nearly a quarter of participants engaging with elected officials for the first time.
BUILD POWER ACROSS TEXAS
Our movement is growing, and it's happening everywhere.
From the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle, from Houston to El Paso, we’re not just talking about organizing – we’re doing it.
This year, we expanded our reach into new counties, activated thousands of Texans who had never taken action before, and equipped emerging leaders with the tools they need to organize their own communities.
The numbers tell the story, but the real power is the people behind them.
Thirty years in, Texas Freedom Network isn’t slowing down. Every story collected, every faith leader trained, every young person registered to vote, every coalition strengthened adds up to something bigger than any single campaign or legislative session. It’s the foundation of a movement that reflects the true diversity and values of Texas.
The work ahead won’t be easy, but with your support, we’re building the power we need to create what’s next. Together, we’re organizing the Texas we deserve.
Thank your for being part of this fight. Let's keep building.
