Moms for Liberty is a right-of-center advocacy nonprofit organization that aims to empower parents to defend their rights at all levels of government, especially regarding education policy. Moms for Liberty’s primary goals are to promote limited government and principles of liberty, prevent government overreach, and hold decisionmakers accountable. Moms for Liberty encourages liberty-minded individuals to run for elected school board positions. 1
Moms for Liberty is most well-known for challenging school officials on issues like COVID-19 mask mandates, other COVID-19 restrictions, and the teaching of left-wing racial theories like critical race theory and promoting candidates who oppose those activities. 2
Background
Moms for Liberty was founded in 2021 and is based in Melbourne, Florida. All three of its founders have served as school board members. As of May 2024, Moms for Liberty claimed to have at least 70,000 members across 165 chapters in 33 states, all working to reshape school policies nationwide. 3
Despite its founders being registered Republicans, Moms for Liberty is not affiliated with a political party and claims to be nonpartisan while being driven by conservative values. 4
Activities
Moms for Liberty is most well-known for challenging school officials on issues like mask mandates, other COVID-19 restrictions, and the teaching of left-wing racial theories like critical race theory. Moms for Liberty aims to replace school officials who supported those polies with more conservative-aligned individuals. In Florida, Moms for Liberty has established the Joyful Warriors Political Committee, a state-level political committee used to influence Florida school board elections. 5
Moms for Liberty aims to empower parents nationwide by educating them about education issues, how school districts operate, and how to influence school district policies. Chapters meet regularly to discuss school board agenda items with the goal of being in constant communication with local school officials. 6
Moms for Liberty’s National Summit held in July 2022 in Tampa, Florida, featured speakers like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Trump administration Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). 7 The National Summit is sponsored by organizations like the Leadership Institute, Parents Defending Education, the Heritage Foundation, and the Noah Webster Educational Foundation. 8
Financials
Moms for Liberty is funded by undisclosed donations. 9 According to co-founder Tina Descovich, Moms for Liberty’s early funding came from a combination of small donations and merchandise sales, which make up nearly half of its total revenue. 10
People
Tiffany Justice is a co-founder of Moms for Liberty and former member of the Indian River County school board in Florida. 11
Tina Descovich is a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, former chair of the Brevard County school board in Florida, and a former member and president of the Florida Coalition of School Board Members. 12
Marie Rogerson is the executive director of program development at Moms for Liberty, a Leadership Institute graduate, 13 and a member of the Space Coast Young Republicans. In 2020, Rogerson ran for Florida Republican State Committeewoman. 14
References
- “Who We Are.” Moms for Liberty, 2022. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://www.momsforliberty.org/about/.
- Anderson, Zac and Brugal, Sommer. “Moms for Liberty: Despite nonpartisan claims, army of activists a political force in 2022.” TC Palm, December 8, 2021. Archived from the original December 8, 2021. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://archive.ph/twINE#selection-1861.0-1861.174.
- Anderson, Zac. “What is Moms for Liberty? Here’s a look at its roots, its philosophy and its mission.” TC Palm, December 8, 2021. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/2021/12/08/moms-liberty-florida-chapters-members-details/6355142001/.
- Anderson, Zac and Brugal, Sommer. “Moms for Liberty: Despite nonpartisan claims, army of activists a political force in 2022.” TC Palm, December 8, 2021. Archived from the original December 8, 2021. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://archive.ph/twINE#selection-1861.0-1861.174.
- Anderson, Zac and Brugal, Sommer. “Moms for Liberty: Despite nonpartisan claims, army of activists a political force in 2022.” TC Palm, December 8, 2021. Archived from the original December 8, 2021. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://archive.ph/twINE#selection-1861.0-1861.174.
- Anderson, Zac and Brugal, Sommer. “Moms for Liberty: Despite nonpartisan claims, army of activists a political force in 2022.” TC Palm, December 8, 2021. Archived from the original December 8, 2021. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://archive.ph/twINE#selection-1861.0-1861.174.
- “National Summit.” Moms for Liberty, 2022. June 20, 2022. https://www.momsforliberty.org/summit22-registration/.
- “Sponsors.” Moms for Liberty, 2022. June 20, 2022. https://www.momsforliberty.org/summit22-sponsors/.
- “Donate Now.” Moms for Liberty, 2022. June 14, 2022. https://www.momsforliberty.org/donate-now/.
- Anderson, Zac and Brugal, Sommer. “Moms for Liberty: Despite nonpartisan claims, army of activists a political force in 2022.” TC Palm, December 8, 2021. Archived from the original December 8, 2021. Accessed June 19, 2022. https://archive.ph/twINE#selection-1861.0-1861.174.
- “About.” Moms for Liberty. Accessed May 18, 2024. https://www.momsforliberty.org/about/.
- “About.” Moms for Liberty. Accessed May 18, 2024. https://www.momsforliberty.org/about/.
- Holmberg, Kirsten. “Meeting Moms for Liberty’s Marie Rogerson, military brat, parent, and activist.” Leadership Institute, April 22, 2022. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://www.leadershipinstitute.org/news/?NR=15874.
- Burns, Robert. “Candidate Spotlight – Marie Rogerson Republican State Committeewoman.” The Space Coast Rocket, August 16, 2020. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://thespacecoastrocket.com/candidate-spotlight-marie-rogerson-republican-state-committeewoman/.