Albuquerque Press Women and Friends

Melanie J. Majors. executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and Sherry Robinson, journal and author will speak to Albuquerque Press Women and Friends on Monday, April 8 at 11:30 a.m. at Mimi’s Cafe (5849 the 25 Way). Majors will asses the actions of the 2019 session of the New Mexico Legislature on issues of transparency, open government and ethics. Robinson will take a closer look at the major bills, the people and the politics involved.

Majors has a 30-year professional career in New Mexico that spans the fields of journalism, communications and public relations. In 2010 she opened her own Communication firm, The Majors Company, specializing in media training, crisis communication and strategic planning. She started her career as a print reporter where she earned an AP Citation and several NMPA awards for her news coverage, and is an accomplished author of numerous publications. She was a producer at KOB TV 4 for several years working in both news and promotions. After moving into public relations, she has provided senior-level counsel and strategic relations for some of New Mexico’s leading corporations and major projects. She is also a media trainer for the New Mexico Broadcasters Association, and is a past board member of the Foundation for Open Government; a past president of the New Mexico Chapter of Public Relations Society and a former New Mexico Press Women officer. In 2008, the New Mexico chapter of the Public Relations Society of America awarded her the Vista Award.  She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico’s journalism school and is currently an adjunct professor in that department. This year NMFOG monitored a wide variety of bills proposed by legislators. Several bills sought to make government less transparent to citizens. Other bills allowed individuals to limit the amount of information public available about them. One important bill would have forced lawmakers to publicly disclose who wanted to spend public capital outlay money, and for which projects. Majors will discuss all this and more.

Robinson will deliver a wrap-up of the 2019 legislative session — the highs, the lows, the major bills, the people and politics. She has covered the Legislature every year since 2011 for the Gallup Independent. Her first session was in 1981 for “The Illustrated Daily” on KNME. She is a long-time, award-winning New Mexico journalist and author. Robinson is also a long time active member of Albuquerque Press Women.

Albuquerque Press Women and Friends is an organization for communicators. Everyone is welcome. We order from the menu. Non-members will be charged an additional five dollars.

Representatives from the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center will speak to Albuquerque Press Women and Friends at their regular meeting on Monday, March 11 at Mimi’s Cafe (4316 The 25 Way). We gather at 11:30 a.m. and the speakers begin at noon.

Associate Director Adriel Orozoco and Quiana Salazar-King, attorney will discuss the increasing demand for immigration attorneys and the ever changing interpretations of the rules and regulations involving immigration. This is a wonderful chance to increase your understanding of the current state of immigration law and the effects in New Mexico.

Orozoco graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in May 2016. His Equal Justice Works project is aimed at increasing legal services for immigrants across the state. Orozoco is particularly interested in how employment laws affect immigrants.

Salazar-King is the Pro Bono Coordinator at the NM Immigrant Law Center. She is also an adjunct professor of the Law Office and Judicial Externship class and Social Justice lawyer.

Albuquerque Press Women and Friends is a professional association of communicators. Anyone is welcome at the meetings. The meetings are informal and we order from the menu and non-members will be charged an additional five dollars.