AWTT and friends will offer a special viewing of the summer exhibit Twelve Maine Women: Portraits of Change, followed by a panel discussion of this specially curated portrait collection. Join us at the Ellsworth Public Library, 20 State Street, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

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Discussion:

What does it mean to lead, protect, and advocate in Maine today? This dynamic panel brings together trailblazing leaders who are shaping the state’s social, political, and cultural landscape. Drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of Frances Perkins and the diverse, powerful generations of Maine women who have championed progress, our speakers will explore the intersections of policy, environmental stewardship, Indigenous sovereignty, and community organizing.

Moderator:

• Darren Ranco: Chair of Native American Programs and Coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine

Panelists:

• Amanda Hatch: Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Museum
• Maulian Dana Bryant: Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance
• Chloe Maxmin: Former Maine State Senator and Co-Founder of Dirtroad Organizing

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Darren Ranco 

Dr. Darren J. Ranco is a citizen of the Penobscot Nation and serves as Professor of Anthropology, Chair of Native American Programs, and Coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine. An internationally recognized scholar, his work focuses on Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, tribal governance, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge with environmental science and public policy.

In 2026, Dr. Ranco received the University of Maine’s Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award, recognizing his exceptional work building partnerships between Wabanaki communities, government agencies, and academic institutions to address environmental stewardship, climate resilience, cultural preservation, and public policy.

Through his research, teaching, and public service, Dr. Ranco continues to advance understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems while strengthening relationships that benefit both tribal communities and the broader public.

Amanda Hatch

Amanda Hatch, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center, is a mission-driven leader who has worked in the Maine non-profit sector since 2019. Prior to joining the Frances Perkins Center, she served as Chief Program & Impact Officer at YWCA Central Maine (Lewiston, Maine) and managed two successful Maine state senate campaigns. Amanda began her career as a program manager in the corporate Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC) compliance sector, conducting global investigations for Fortune 500 clients. She earned her master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati, where she taught and studied migration, gender, labor, and economic systems from antiquity to the present day. She currently serves as Treasurer on the board of Community Organizing Alliance in Lewiston, Maine.

Chloe Maxmin 

Chloe Maxmin is a farmer, organizer, and former Maine State Senator who represented Lincoln County from 2020 to 2022 after serving in the Maine House of Representatives. A lifelong Mainer, she grew up in Nobleboro and has dedicated her career to strengthening rural communities through grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and public service. She was the youngest woman ever elected to the Maine Senate.

Today, Maxmin is the co-founder of Dirtroad Organizing, a nonprofit that supports rural leaders and communities across the country, and co-owner of Begin Again Farm in Warren, Maine. She is also the co-author of Dirt Road Revival: How to Rebuild Rural Politics and Why Our Future Depends on It, a book exploring the importance of listening, relationship-building, and local leadership in strengthening democracy.

Maulian Dana Bryant 

Maulian Dana Bryant is a citizen of the Penobscot Nation and serves as Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance, where she works to advance tribal sovereignty and strengthen relationships among the Wabanaki Nations, the State of Maine, and the public. Prior to this role, she served as the Penobscot Nation’s first Tribal Ambassador from 2017 to 2024, representing the Nation at the local, state, and federal levels on issues of sovereignty, cultural preservation, and public policy.

A nationally recognized advocate for Indigenous rights, Bryant played a leading role in Maine’s efforts to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day and to prohibit the use of Native American mascots in public schools. A graduate of the University of Maine, she is known for her collaborative leadership and her belief in “leading with love and finding shared humanity” as a path toward meaningful change.

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More about the ongoing portrait exhibit (August 6 – September 25)