Denise Lieberman

Denise Lieberman is a nationally renowned expert on voting rights. She currently serves as director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, a nonpartisan statewide network of advocates who work to protect the right to vote in Missouri and is considered an inspiration to those around her.

“It is hard to leave a meeting with Denise not feeling motivated for social change and civic action,” said nominator Autumn Dennis, who has coordinated with Lieberman on voting rights and engagement efforts. “Service to the community is absolutely Denise’s way of life.” 

Lieberman also teaches courses on constitutional law and civil rights in the Department of Political Science and School of Law at WashU. There, she helps coordinate the development of the Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse.

She balances these responsibilities with her role as Faculty Director of Voter Access and Engagement in the Brown School’s Center for Social Development. She is also active in numerous causes supporting equality and civil rights, and served as chair of the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Committee of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and on several Boards in the community.

In the past, Lieberman served as the Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri and as Senior Attorney and National Director of Power & Democracy at Advancement Project National Office, a racial justice organization, and as a consultant with the Brennan Center for Justice.

Outside of her career, Lieberman participates in rallies to encourage voting in the St. Louis community, speaks at local marches for women’s rights, and raises awareness on St. Louis Public Radio about local amendments on the ballot.

Lieberman is also active at the Gephardt Institute, where she led Election Lunch and Learn sessions, co-facilitated Civic Café events, and guest lectured for Civic Scholar classes.

“Denise Lieberman has been and continues to be an incredible community partner to the Gephardt Institute and the students we work with,” said Sarah Nash, who co-nominated Lieberman. “Each time I have interacted with Denise, and each time I have witnessed Denise interact with students and community members, she brings a warmth that makes one feel seen and an energy and passion that makes one feel inspired.”

Lieberman’s nominator described her as compassionate, selfless, and passionate about making an impact on St. Louis and Missouri as a whole. She connects people, places, organizations, ideas, and movements, and takes risks to challenge the status quo, raise awareness, and build power.