Hi, my name is Rook Hope and I use they/them pronouns. Outside of working at the Office of Equity, I love to cut hair for my trans & queer community members, crochet, go camping (even in the fall & winter), and travel.

I am working in the Office of Equity because I was asked to be here. As someone who has a healthy distrust of state & federal government, I never thought I would be in the role I am in now. I have spent time volunteering and working for a number of non-profit and grassroots organizations in Washington state, which really gave me an understanding of how broken our system is. The folks most in need in our community are constantly falling through the cracks or being looked down upon. That is why I am here: to use my privilege and power to uplift those voices.

My role at the Office of Equity is on the Communications Team as the Communications Specialist. This means that I spend a lot of time writing, creating graphics, building website content, supporting our Office's team in producing content that highlights their work, and building communications strategies. In one day I can go from editing a video or a podcast to working on a newsletter to editing an event save the date. Our Comms team has great goals to change how government communications historically look and aim to bring the everyday Washington citizen into this work by showcasing how our office moves.

Washington state prides itself on being a liberal safe haven with lofty goals to become a "Belonging State." In actualizing those goals, I think we collectively have a long way to go and will take everyone making change in their daily lives. I personally can commit to being here among the community organizations I love and uplift to continue pushing against these systems until they break. I may not see this happen in my lifetime, but I will be here actively challenging my own biases and the biases of my community so we all collectively chip away at these walls that keep us from abundance. This looks like tangibly seeking out folks who will hold me accountable just as I hold them accountable, with firm compassion and unwavering empathy.

I will know that my work at the Office of Equity is making a difference when I see my friends not having to struggle for their basic needs and when I see those without access to resources are being treated with dignity and respect as opposed to disgust. I look to a future with lush food forests, clean waterways, laughing children, and accessible resources. I look to a future that uplifts local communities, where everyone knows their neighbor and wants to tackle systemic problems together. I look to a future where my trans family are honored and loved as the magical beings that they are.