When I started working at Kansas Appleseed back in 2019, nobody told me I would be working alongside a legend. A few months into my position, I happened across a magazine article that described Teresa Woody as “the Erin Brockovich of the Midwest.” Only then did I begin to grasp the magnitude of who Teresa was and the force she represented in the world of justice and advocacy.
When I mentioned the article to her, she simply laughed—almost dismissively—and in that moment I saw another side of Teresa. In addition to being insightful, knowledgeable, passionate, and deeply compassionate, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor, she was also profoundly modest about her accomplishments. Her humility, paired with her brilliance, is part of what has always made her so remarkable.
Teresa has been at Kansas Appleseed for nearly seven years and will be retiring at the end of this year. In that time, she has built a legacy that will shape the lives of Kansans for generations. She has worked tirelessly to reform a deeply strained foster care system, fought to overturn laws that suppress Kansans’ right to vote, and challenged a racist gang database that harmed communities of color. These battles were difficult, often uphill, but Teresa approached each one with an unshakeable sense of justice and a belief that the law should protect, not harm.
Beyond these extraordinary accomplishments, Teresa has long been at the forefront of challenging state laws that restrict reproductive freedom, bringing an unwavering conviction to an issue that has shaped the lives of so many women. When Kansas shocked the nation in 2022 by rejecting the legislature’s attempt to amend the constitution and undermine women’s bodily autonomy, that victory was not just a moment—it was the culmination of decades of work led by advocates like Teresa, who never stopped fighting for what was right.
Teresa’s sense of righteousness, her high ethical standards, and her unwavering commitment to fight for those who have lost their power is inspiring – and motivates those around her to do better every day.
Last year, Teresa was named the Appleseed Advocate of the Year, a national award presented by the Appleseed Foundation. In nominating her, I wrote, “Teresa looks at issues that have impacted those with the least amount of power, and she gives them their power back. She is passionate about seeking justice and won’t stop until there’s a resolution. Kansas is a better state because Teresa is in our corner.”
I stand by those words today—with one addition: our world is better because of Teresa’s hard work.
We will be forever grateful that Teresa chose to leave a successful private practice to become the founding litigation director for Kansas Appleseed. Before she joined us, we couldn’t yet imagine the impact a litigation department could have. Teresa showed us what was possible. She demonstrated the power of the legal system to create meaningful, lasting, systemic change—and Kansas is forever changed because of her.
On behalf of all of us at Kansas Appleseed and on behalf of those whose lives are changed, congratulations, Teresa, on your retirement. You deserve all the relaxation and joy that comes from a successful and impactful career. We are forever in your debt.
