MEET THE CA

Laura Davidson
CA Director of Operations

January 2009

For 20 years, through successes, political challenges, fiscal difficulties, periods of rapid expansion, and, literally, a fire, Laura Davidson has been both a pillar and driving force for the Correctional Association. She is the heart and soul of our organization—and everyday she exemplifies the CA’s mission to ensure that all members of our society are treated justly and with dignity and respect.

On December 18 Laura was honored with Public Citizen’s sixth annual Phyllis McCarthy Public Interest Service Award in Washington, D.C.

The award, intended to recognize individuals who have worked long and hard performing critical functions for a non-profit organization, but who have not received public credit commensurate with their contributions, is named after 24-year Public Citizen employee Phyllis McCarthy.

Laura joined the CA staff in 1989 as a receptionist/administrative assistant, and due to her evident talent, abilities, and commitment, was promoted to the Office Manager position just a few short years later.

Recently, her title was changed to Director of Operations to reflect the many and expanded responsibilities that have come within her purview over the last several years.  As our staff has grown since 1989 and our budget more than quadrupled, Laura has readily taken on new responsibilities and ensured that our organization operates with efficiency and confidence.

Above and Beyond
Laura’s commitment to the mission and the vision of the organization extends well beyond the bounds of the work day and her job description.  She is a selfless advisor and confidante to many staff members, and has been a source of support and comfort to the formerly incarcerated people and their family members who come through the CA’s door.  She has given clothing, time, and emotional sustenance to many participants in our leadership development programs, many of whom are adults recently released from prison or young people with troubled home lives. As we update our IT systems, she makes sure that we pass on as many computers as possible to formerly incarcerated persons who cannot afford them.   

Though Laura is rarely directly involved with our policy reform efforts, all the duties she performs administratively and operationally, plus her heartfelt moral support, enable the rest of us to carry out the tasks aimed at making our prison system more fair, efficient and humane. Though not so visible to the eyes of the world, we here see her as our most important soldier for justice. Without Laura’s personal and professional acumen, foresight, and wisdom, the CA would not be the effective organization it is today.