Heidi Notario, M.A. (she, her, ella) currently serves as the Chief of Education and Access at Caminar
Latino-Latinos United for Peace & Equity. Heidi is a Queer immigrant Latina with a wealth of expertise in
community organizing, disability, racial justice activism, and the application of linguistic justice-centered
participatory methodologies to guide practice and evidence building efforts. Previously, she held the
position of Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Systems Change at the National Resource Center
on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) where she oversaw the work of the Policy and Research Team.
Heidi has dedicated over a decade to advocating for the rights of gender-based violence survivors,
focusing on Latinxs, individuals with disabilities, and Deaf communities. She actively works at the
intersections of violence against people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant communities and others
living on the margins. In addition, Heidi is deeply committed to addressing the connections between
housing insecurity and gender-based violence, with a specific emphasis on racial inequities and lack of
sovereignty.
Her areas of expertise encompass a wide range of issues related to the treatment and support provided
to survivors of gender-based violence. With a human rights framework, a trauma informed lens, and
through the application of linguistic justice approaches, she places a strong emphasis on “accessibility”
and strives to eliminate barriers that affect survivors with intersecting identities, their children, and
communities.
Heidi approaches her work and personal life with a focus on transformative justice, community building,
and healing. Originally from Cuba, she has resided in the U.S. since 1995. Heidi holds a Masters’ Degree
in Sociology from Lehigh University and is a proud mother to Noah.
International work:
Presentations on a variety of topics to include:
LGBTQ+ identities and GBV, teen dating violence, disability and GBV, housing insecurity and GBV, developing action plans to prevent and respond to GBV, linguistic justice, trauma informed strategies to respond to GBV and others.
Countries: Mexico, Dominican Republic, China, Peru, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Cuba.
Aspirations:
- Continue my international work, specifically in Latin America.
- Keep the local community organizing work and begin a collaborative on Transformative Justice in Central PA to promote healing and accountability for survivors and those that cause harm within the Queer community.
- Write