Co-Chair REV Up Georgia

Gaylon Tootle was co-chairperson at REV UP Georgia and co-founder of Save My Vote!. He was a voting advocate for nearly 40 years. After a 30-year career in the U.S. Defense Department, Tootle, who was blind, resumed his advocacy at Augusta’s Walton Options Center for Independent Living. In the end, said Tootle, “advocacy is a belief system. We believe we can do anything. We have dreams and expectations just like anybody else.”

Gaylon died in September 2022. His last act of advocacy was as a speaker at the Vice President’s Residence in July, where he was invited to talk about life before and after the Americans with Disabilities Act in celebration of the anniversary of the ADA. Gaylon’s passing left a huge hole in our hearts.

Co-Chair REV UP Georgia

Stacey Ramirez, co-chair, REV UP Georgia and co-founder, Save My Vote!, is one of those rare Peaches who was born, raised, and still lives in Georgia. She holds a steadfast belief that we all have gifts and the capacity to far exceed the often-arbitrary expectations that society imposes. As a mother of three adult sons, one of whom has autism, Stacey works in collaboration with Community Connectors – trusted local leaders - to improve statewide support and services that will enhance opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their family members, and allies to be productive, engaged members of their communities.

Jessica has been a disability and community advocate for over 18 years. She is a Community Connector and began her work in 2003 working with several local disability agencies to educate people with disabilities regarding knowing their rights and discovering their abilities. She serves on the REV up Georgia Leadership Team and a board member of the National Federation of the Blind Chatham County, and future Executive Director of Mixed Greens Savannah..

Stancil Tootle is a Community Connector. He is the host of Tuesday’s with Tootle, a weekly online program informing and connecting the disability community in Georgia. Stancil was an early participant in Georgia’s independent living movement. He is combining his advocacy expertise with his efforts to end voter suppression of Black Americans with disabilities. “ I love bringing about change. I believe in the political process even when it has to be nudged forward.”

Lee Jones is a Community Connector. Her involvement in voting rights for people with disabilities flows organically from her own medical disabilities. In her advocacy, Lee finds distrust among those who fear their votes won't count. But she remains hopeful. “I tell them, ‘This is your right. One vote might not make a difference, but collectively it does.’ Then people become engaged.” In the end, Lee’s advocacy for others with disabilities has enriched her own life. “I’ve found my tribe. It’s what keeps me going.”

Terri Morgan is a Community Connector. Terri dedicates her volunteer time connecting neighbors to positive resources and activities and bringing people together to build a stronger community. She is also an engaged Board member for the NWGA Center for Independent Living; a Regional Advisory Council Member for DBHDD; and a founding member of Turn Your Back on Hate and AMP Rome.

James Butler a Community Connector is a professional land surveyor who has spent the past 11 years exploring the culture of inclusion associated with education, family, and community. He currently serves on several boards and panels associated with supporting individuals and families identified with a disability. Mr. Butler is the director of a non-profit which focuses on inclusive youth development, where he conducts an annual gardening program in his rural community. He plans to develop the program into a business entity to provide employment opportunities for youth identified with disabilities. Educationally Mr. Butler has a BS and MS in Psychology, and a MS in Professional Counseling.

In addition to being a Community Connector, Derek Heard, is an artist and .graphic designer company, Derek’s Doodles, provides the artwork for Save My Vote! Derek is a board member of the Uniting for Change Network of self-advocates and an ambassador for Georgia with the Center on Youth Voice and Youth Choice.

When Attorney Vernitia A. Shannon was a child, she became involved in voter advocacy for people with disabilities. She learned about voting inequalities when she joined her grandparents and parents as they took people with disabilities to the polls.  After graduating from Howard University Law School, She created Disability Awareness Now to empower others to vote. She collaborates with the Fulton County Commission on Disability Affairs, Disability Link, Friendship Baptist Church, Rev Up Georgia, Save My Vote Georgia and other voter advocacy organizations to advocate for the voting rights of people with disabilities.