About Us
Our Organization
Panhandle Equality is a non-profit organization located in the Nebraska Panhandle committed to full equality for residents of the Nebraska Panhandle region by advancing LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer) rights through advocacy, education and community service.
Our Mission
Panhandle Equality is committed to full equality for residents of the Nebraska Panhandle region by advancing LGBTQ+ rights through advocacy, education and community service.
Our Vision
Inclusiveness and equality for all.
Our Board of Directors
Megan Barhafer, BS
President
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Scottsbluff, NE
Megan moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska for her first job out of college, in 2018. She has been committed to human rights from a young age. Growing up in Iowa and watching the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights was the spark for her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. In college, at Iowa State University, Megan studied environmental science and community and regional planning which laid the foundation for her current position working in public health. Megan is passionate about the social determinants of health which include environmental factors of health like access to food, safe and affordable shelter, and preventing trauma.
Megan is very honored to serve as President of Panhandle Equality, which she sees as an amazing opportunity to do the work of creating inclusive communities. Megan enjoys singing, acting, hiking, and most especially knitting!
Helen Winston, Esq.
Vice-President
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Helen loves hiking, fighting for justice, and has lived in Scottsbluff for the past 2 years. She also loves dogs and horses.
Brandi Ward, BA
Secretary/Treasurer
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Chadron, NE
Brandi is a Legal Assistant at Ellison, Kovarik & Turman Law Firm. She was born in Chadron but moved around a lot as a kid. Brandi moved back to Chadron in 2006 and began attending Chadron State College as a part-time student where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies – Legal Studies. She then moved to Scotts Bluff in 2013 to begin her career as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal.
Brandi looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors and hopes to help the organization achieve its goal of advancing LBGTQ+ rights. One of her favorite quotes is by Ella Wheeler Wilcox and states:
"To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men." ~Unknown
Vacant Position
General Board Member
Pronouns:
Hometown:
Vacant Position
General Board Member
Pronouns:
Hometown:
Our Constitution & Bylaws
For a full description of how our non-profit organization is governed, click on the image below to review our Constitution & Bylaws.
